By 5 a.m., the crowd had swelled into more than 5,000 runners from all over Davao Region and beyond, a massive tide of people united by one cause:
To run for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte — their Tatay Digong, now detained at the ICC in The Hague.
The atmosphere was charged, emotional, and unusually quiet for an event this large. Then the mood shifted as Vice President Sara Duterte stepped onto the stage at the starting point. The crowd erupted.
But the moment she held the microphone, silence returned — a silence thick with devotion, anger, and hope.
“On behalf of the family, we thank you for your prayers and your continued support to former president Rodrigo Duterte."
VP Sara’s voice echoed through the early morning air. Parents carrying their children. Young runners with DU30 shirts. Entire barangay delegations. They all listened, eyes fixed, hearts heavy.
She then addressed the swirling social-media rumor claiming that the former president had been found unconscious inside his ICC cell.
Her tone sharpened, jaw tight.
“Dili to tinuod ug walay nahitabo na ing-ato... Ingon nya nga maybe it was just a prank by many of my supporters,” she declared.
A wave of relief rippled across the crowd, many nodding, some wiping tears.
VP Sara spoke about the family’s ongoing appeal before the ICC for her father’s interim release, framing it as both a legal battle and a prayer.
“We hope to hear good news for the public hearing on the appeal for his interim release on November 28. But if not, the family will continue to support him in his stay in The Hague. And of course continue to work with his defense team with regard to his legal case."
As VP Sara led the countdown and fired the starting signal, thousands surged forward — a river of footsteps carrying devotion, loyalty, and anger at perceived injustice.
Runners said it didn’t feel like a fun run at all. It felt like a pledge. A vow. A declaration that even if their leader is far away, they will not abandon him.
Organizers later said they expected thousands — but the turnout exceeded their imagination.
For the supporters, this wasn’t a race.
It was a message to the world:
“Padayon, Tatay Digong. Davao is still with you.”
Photos:Bombo Radyo