Senator Christopher “Bong” Go stood shoulder to shoulder with Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other Davaoeños in a peace rally held Saturday, March 22, at the Millenium Park in Davao City, as supporters called for prayers for the safety, health, and freedom of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Despite their physical challenges, PWDs came together with fellow Davaoeños to stand for a shared purpose: to call for Duterte’s safety, health, and freedom amid recent legal issues abroad.
The Davao rally emphasized unity, faith, and a deep sense of gratitude towards the former President, who served as mayor of the city for more than two decades.
As a Davaoeño, Senator Go reminded the crowd that Davao City has long been a champion of inclusivity and human rights. He recalled that even back in 2012, under then-Vice Mayor Duterte’s leadership, the city enacted the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, which aimed to protect the rights of all individuals—including indigenous peoples and PWDs—and ensure equal treatment and dignity for all.
“Walang diskriminasyon dito sa Davao City. Ganoon po niya kamahal ang Davao kaya ganoon din siya minahal dito sa Davao,” Senator Go said in his speech.
“Matagal nang pinapahalagahan sa Davao ang pagkakapantay-pantay. Noon pa man, may batas na para protektahan ang karapatan ng lahat, anuman ang kanilang pinagmulan. Dapat ganito rin sa buong bansa—pantay-pantay, walang naiiwan,” Go added.
Go, who served as Duterte’s longtime aide before becoming senator, acknowledged the presence of PWDs in the crowd. “Sa mga PWDs naman, maraming salamat kahit na ganoon po ang kinatatayuan ninyo, tumayo pa rin kayo para kay Tatay Digong. Kung naririnig lamang po ni Tatay Digong ang boses ninyo ngayon… alam niyo, sigurado ako na masaya po siya na makita kayo,” he said emotionally.
The senator also highlighted the enduring legacy of Duterte’s leadership, particularly his contributions to peace and order in the city. “Noong panahon ni Tatay Digong, mas nakakalakad kayo sa gabi diba? Nang walang nasasaktan, walang nababastos. Ginawa ni Tatay Digong ang lahat para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak. Hindi lang dito sa Davao kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Minahal niya tayo.”
Go further stressed the importance of continuous prayers for the former president, who is now 80 years old. “Pagdasal natin si Tatay Digong, ipagdasal natin ang kaniyang kalusugan, ‘yun ang importante… Ipagdasal po natin ang kaniyang kaligtasan at ipagdasal natin ang kaniyang kalayaan. Hindi po siya dapat andoon ikinulong. Dapat andito siya sa Davao ngayon, dito sa Pilipinas.”
For many Davaoeños, the name Rodrigo Duterte is synonymous with discipline, peace, and public service. As the peace rally concluded, the crowd stood united—PWDs and abled-bodied supporters alike—in prayer, vowing to continue their support for a man they believe gave his life in service to the Filipino people.
He echoed Duterte’s timeless wisdom: “Sabi niya sa akin lagi, ‘Unahin mo ‘yung mga pasyente, ‘yung mga mahihirap. Tulungan mo, ‘wag mo silang pabayaan. Unahin ang interes ng bayan, unahin ang kababayan nating Pilipino at hinding hindi ka magkakamali.’”
