Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The so-called “mga ka-DDS” or Die-hard Duterte Supporters flocked to Luneta for a “show of force” rally that lasted for about 16 hours over the weekend.
Wave after wave of supporters arrived in busloads from as far as provinces in Mindanao, with buses occupying roads beside the Quirino Grandstand.
Some residents from Metro Manila went to the venue by taking government vehicles, while some stayed overnight and slept out in the field along with relatives and friends.
One of them was Reynaldo Eugenio, a foreman from Bulacan.
He said, “Basta nakita ko lang na pag kay Duterte yung mga events na mga ganito, talagang pupunta ako.”
[Translation: I make it a point to attend pro-Duterte events like this.]
But teacher Nelia Dela Cruz was disappointed when she failed to see her idol Digong.
She said, “Kasi gusto kong makita personally si President, but it so happened na wala pala siya ngayon.”
[Translation: I wanted to see the President, but he’s not here.]
Various performances from Duterte supporters entertained the crowd all night long.
Organizers say the crowd peaked to half a million on Saturday evening, but the Manila police put the number at 200,000 people.
Both numbers are below the one million people that organizers expected to attend.
Still, organizers and supporters alike say this is the “real people power” supporting the President’s war on drugs and corruption.
They also criticized the anti-Marcos rally at the People Power monument, saying some politicians in that rally want to oust President Rodrigo Duterte from his office.
For them, the crowd at Luneta just shows how the President’s supporters outnumber his critics.
Vincent Cifra, chairman of Youth for Federalism, said, “Ibig sabihin lang noon [What that means] is hindi na basta-basta naloloko yung taong bayan [people are not easily fooled]… So we learned to be critical about what’s happening in our country.
Reynaldo Eugenio, a Duterte supporters, said, “Wala na eh. Kumbaga sa ano, kumbaga sa salitang kalye, panis na, walang ano eh. Buti pa rito.
[Translation: There’s nothing there. They’re a wasted number. It’s better here.]
They say this is just the beginning of their efforts to defend the President and what they call “the motherland.”
