On Sunday, April 13, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go set aside campaign activities to join supporters in a unity gathering at Rizal Park in Davao City—an event led by women’s groups from the city’s three districts in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who remains detained abroad following his transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over a month ago.
Senator Go called on the public to pray for Duterte’s health, safety, and freedom, saying that his enduring service to Filipinos is rooted in the principles and values instilled in him by the former president.
The event, organized by the Green Rise Action Movement, served as both a protest and a tribute, reflecting deep public concern over Duterte’s detention.
In his speech, Senator Go lamented the circumstances surrounding Duterte’s transfer to the ICC, pointing to what he described as a deliberate and accelerated process. He stated that even high-ranking figures, including himself and Vice President Sara Duterte who is a daughter and legal counsel, were denied access to the former president.
“Isang buwan na mula nang ilayo nila si Tatay Digong. Alam naman natin, minadali talaga nila ‘yon, sinadya. Ako mismo, hindi ko na s’ya nakita nang personal,” said Senator Go, recounting his frustration. “Hindi kami pinayagan pumasok sa kampo—hindi ako, hindi si Vice President Sara. Talagang isinara nila.”
He pressed for Duterte’s immediate return, referencing how swiftly the transfer had taken place and arguing that a similar effort should be made to bring him back.
“Kaya hindi tayo dapat tumigil. Kung kaya nilang ilipad s’ya roon sa loob ng labing-apat na oras, dapat kaya rin nilang ibalik si Tatay Digong dito,” Senator Go declared. “Hindi tayo titigil sa ipinaglalaban natin para kay Tatay Digong.”
Throughout the gathering, Senator Go’s speech was deeply personal and emotionally charged, reflecting a relationship forged over decades. “Hindi ako magiging senador kung hindi dahil kay Tatay Digong. Kaya ako, hanggang sa kamatayan, paninindigan ko ang aking pangako sa kanya. Totoo ‘yan—at sinasabi ko ito sa inyo ngayon.”
He also revealed his continued efforts in ensuring the former president receives proper medical care.
“Ang gamot n’ya, ako mismo nagpapadala linggu-linggo, buwan-buwan, hanggang ngayon. Masakit lang sa loob ko na hindi nila dinala roon ang gamot dahil gusto yata nila, sila ang magpagamot kay Tatay Digong. Eh paano kung hindi angkop ang gamot na ibibigay nila?”
Senator Go also paid tribute to Davao’s Muslim community, recalling Duterte’s inclusive approach to governance and deep respect for the Muslim population of Mindanao. “Ako mismo, dala-dala ko pa rin ang pagmamahal n’ya sa inyo. Ang turing ko sa mga kapatid nating Muslim—pantay-pantay.”
He turned to women in the audience, recognizing their sacrifices and influence, both in society and in Duterte’s own life. “Kaya naman mataas ang respeto namin sa inyo ni Tatay Digong,” he said.
“Si Tatay Digong susunod agad. Hindi dahil sa takot, kundi dahil sa sobrang respeto n’ya sa kanyang mga anak na babae… Ako rin po, mataas ang respeto ko sa mga babae. Wala tayo sa mundong ito kung wala ang ating mga lola, mga nanay.”
As a Davaoeño, Senator Go also recalled that during Duterte’s tenure as vice mayor of Davao City in 2012, the local government enacted the Anti-Discrimination Code, which sought to protect the rights of all individuals, including indigenous peoples, and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
Senator Go also reminisced about Duterte’s simplicity, from his eating habits to the way he celebrated birthdays—if at all. “Paborito n’ya—sardinas, itlog, manok. Wala namang iba. Napakasimple ng buhay n’ya,” he said. “Ang birthday n’ya noon—doon sa Smokey Mountain, sa Santa Ana, kasama ang mga informal settlers.”
Despite now holding public office himself, Senator Go said the former president never interfered with his work. Instead, Duterte’s consistent advice was simple and enduring: “Unahin mo lagi ang interest ng bayan, interest ng Pilipino at hinding hindi ka magkakamali.”
Framing his own legislative agenda as an extension of Duterte’s legacy, Senator Go reinforced his advocacy for programs benefiting the poor. “Ang mga programa ko, inuuna talaga ang para sa mahihirap. Kasi gusto ko, mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon.”
The senator closed his speech with a call for prayers, invoking both God and Allah as he urged supporters to continue hoping for Duterte’s freedom. “Ipagdasal natin ang kalusugan n’ya. Si Tatay Digong po ay 80 years old na. Nahihirapan na s’yang mag-isa. Ipagdasal natin ang kanyang kalusugan at kaligtasan. Ipagdasal natin ang kanyang kalayaan, at na sana, sa lalung madaling panahon, makauwi na si Tatay Digong.”
“Alam kong nasabi ko na sa inyo ito, pero tandaan n’yo po—iisa lang ang daan natin sa mundong ito. Kung may kabutihan o tulong na kaya nating ibigay sa kapwa-tao, ibigay na natin ngayon.”
Ending on a note of service and devotion, Senator Go reaffirmed the guiding philosophy he attributes to Duterte: “Ako po si Senator Kuya Bong Go. Patuloy lang ang serbisyo para sa inyong lahat. Ang inspirasyon ko sa paglilingkod ay walang iba kundi si Tatay Digong. Naniniwala ako—ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.”
The crowd responded with chants of “Duterte! Duterte! Duterte!”—a clear display of their continued loyalty and a stark indication that public concern over Duterte’s detention remains strong.
