Organizer says 40T join indignation rally

CEBU, Philippines — The core group of the Hakbang ng Maisug Cebu said the Mandaue City Police Office grossly underestimated attendance during the indignation rally the other night.

The police said only 3,000 to 4,000 people gathered, but Hakbang ng Maisug spokesman Ernest “Jun” Abines said the crowd reached more than 40,000.

The MCPO posted the said estimates in their Facebook page before taking the post down. But some netizens already took some screenshots of the now-deleted post.

However, MCPO posted another Facebook post at around 6:10 P.M. yesterday still sticking to their crowd estimate or more or less 3,000 to 4,000 individuals.

In their Facebook post, MCPO city director Police Colonel Julius Sagandoy also commended the personnel for ensuring that the event proceeded without any untoward incidents.

“We are committed to being vigilant and proactive, ensuring the security of all, while remaining apolitical and upholding the rights of citizens to voice their opinions in a peaceful manner,” he stated.

Police Lieutenant Colonel, Mercy Villaro, public info officer of MCPO, said the earlier post was taken down not because it was bashed, but because the photo was of poor quality being too dark.

Despite the police “underestimate”, Abines and Irene Caballes, one of the rally organizers, said in an exclusive interview with The FREEMAN that the rally was so successful and they now plan two more even bigger rallies in Cebu.

This time, Caballes said they will be inviting Vice President Sara Duterte and the nine PDP senatorial candidates. The organizers thanked everyone who attended and spent their time, money, and resources in going to the rally.

The indignation rally the other night was graced by former president Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, senatorial candidates Jimmy Bondoc and Vic Rodriguez, and Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.

Local officials like former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes and his entire One Mandaue slate including Mandaue City Lone District Congressional aspirant Regal Oliva, Lapu-Lapu City mayoralty candidate Paz Radaza and her entire slate and Lapu-Lapu City congressional candidate Michael Dignos, Consolacion mayoralty candidate Bingol Villo and her entire slate, Cebu City former mayor Michael Rama, Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro, and other local candidates from Liloan Town, Bohol, and Negros Oriental, were present and their hands were raised by the former president.

In her Facebook post, Baricuatro thanked Hakbang ng Maisug - Cebu team for their organization of the rally.

“Despite the short preparation time, this event was a resounding success—powerful demonstration of Cebuanos uniting in support of justice for VP Sara Duterte," said Baricuatro.

Baricuatro said the rally was made even more meaningful by the inspiring presence of the former president.

“While there were a few moments of miscommunication along the way, we acknowledge that such challenges are part of any dynamic event. Rest assured, our commitment to moving forward together remains, and we have taken these instances as learning opportunities to strengthen our collaboration. Cebu is indeed still a Duterte province," said Baricuatro.

She also thanked Mandaue City for hosting the rally.

“I reaffirm my full support for Mayor Jonas Corte whose resilience and leadership make him the rightful and dedicated leader of this vibrant city,” Baricuatro added.

Cortes, the only local official allowed to speak at the rally and later the one who introduced the former president as keynote speaker, also expressed indignation on what happened to him, from being suspended, to being disqualified as a candidate, and the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy.

“Ang atong pakigbisog karon is a call to action. Gihimo sa Mandaue ang rally tungod kay ang Mandaue hulagway sa gidaog-daog,” said Cortes.

“Sagdi lang walay forever ‘ning kalibutana. Naa sa balaang kasulatan nga nag-ingon, ang nagpataas maoy ipaubos apan ang nagpaubos mao nay ipataas,” said Cortes.

The rally ended at around midnight, just after the former presidents raised the hands of all the local candidates, and just before a heavy downpour occurred.

The former president left the rally venue around 1:30 A.M. as many supporters wanted to take photos with him, even waiting through the rain just for their chance to do so.

“Idol kaayo namo si Tatay Digong. Bahala og basa na kaayo mi sa ulan basta kay makapa-picture mi niya,” one of the supporters said.

The 83-year-old former chief executive was inside a tent and only six individuals per batch were allowed to go inside for a photograph.

The former president stayed overnight in one of the hotels in Cebu City and left the hotel at around 5 P.M. yesterday where several supporters also met and had photographs taken with him. (CEBU NEWS)