By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Feb. 25 (PNA) – Around 215,000 supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte went at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park (formerly Luneta Park) in Manila on Saturday, National Capitol Region Police Office (NCRPO) said as of 10 p.m.
NCRPO Spokesperson Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas said that as of posting the program is ongoing still peaceful and orderly with no significant untoward incident reported.
She added that personalities present in the event were Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Gen. Getulio Napenas, VACC Chairman Dante Jimenez and TV actor Cesar Montano.
The Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Council (MRRD-NECC) organized the event were they expect around 1 million people from various pro-Duterte groups from different provinces in the country to show up.
Bobby Briliante of MRRD-NECC said the event was not a political display, but a show of support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs, corruption, and poverty.
He said good turn of events that pro-administration gathering coincided with the EDSA revolt anniversary were the country is celebrating the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
“Just to reiterate people’s support for President Duterte sa [for his] commitment to deliver the promise during the campaign. The celebration in EDSA and Luneta should be complementing each other as a celebration of freedom,” Brillante explained.
The program will have speeches and performances by various artists, including entertainer and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Member Mocha Uson, actor and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation assistant vice president Arnell Ignacio and singer Freddie Aguilar.
Aguirre, who was present in the rally, asked the crowd who want to they wish who will be the next person that would be placed behind bars.
The crowd shout “Trillianes”.
”Meron kayo gusto niyo isunod sino, tulungan ninyo ko. Maramaing salamat sa inyo itong ginawang pagdalo sukatan na tuloy tuloy ang pagsuporta sa Pangulo,” Aguirre said.
Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila De Lima, the two are very vocal critic of the administration of President Duterte.
De Lima is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at its Custodial Center in Cam Crame, who was arrested last Friday in connection of drug charges.
Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 is handling Criminal Case No. 17-165 which specifically charged De Lima for for violation of Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 3 (jj trading), Section 26 (b) and Section 28 or the criminal liability of government officials and employees under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
