The activity was distinct from the regular Araw ng Dabaw civic parade held earlier in the morning, underscoring that the walk was a separate gathering organized specifically in honor of Duterte’s birthday.
The gathering, which assembled along Roxas Avenue and proceeded toward Rizal Park in San Pedro Square, drew supporters from across Mindanao. The event unfolded amid ongoing developments involving Duterte’s situation abroad, which has kept him away from his home base in Davao and added a layer of urgency and emotion to the occasion.
In his speech, Go began by recalling Duterte’s relationship with Muslim Filipinos, emphasizing the former president’s consistent approach to inclusivity and equal treatment.
“Sa mga kababayan kong Muslim, alam nyo kung gaano namin kayo minahal ni Tatay Digong dito,” Go said, before stressing that Duterte ensured fairness in governance. “Pantay-pantay ang trato niya sa inyo rito.”
He then cited specific instances from their time in public service, noting how Duterte personally directed efforts to assist marginalized Muslim communities. “Ako nga mismo ang inutusan niya noon na pumunta sa mga mosque para sa mga mahihirap na Muslim na gustong mag-Hajj,” he added, framing this as part of Duterte’s broader view that Filipinos, regardless of faith, share a common bond.
"Mahal na mahal nya at pantay-pantay dahil lahat tayo rito Kristiyano, Muslim magkakapatid tayong lahat.”
Shifting to a more reflective tone, Go described what he considers the most difficult birthday Duterte has experienced, contrasting it with the former President's long-standing preference for simple, private celebrations.
“Alam nyo ito yung sa tingin ko na pinaka malungkot na birthday sa buhay ni Tatay Digong,” he said, before recalling Duterte’s usual instructions during past birthdays. “Simpleng tao lang yang si Tatay… Napakasimpleng tao.”
Go recounted how Duterte would often decline public festivities and instead ask that assistance be given to the poor. “Tuwing birthday nya parati niyang sinasabi sa akin noon, ‘Bong ayokong lumabas,’” he shared. Duterte would instead direct him to organize outreach efforts, telling him, “Magpakain ka lang diyan sa smokey mountain o minsan sa Sta. Ana sa mga scavengers… Pakainin mo sila, yung mga cancer patients.”
He added that Duterte preferred to spend his birthday quietly with family. “Sabi niya, ‘Ayokong lumabas, gusto ko mag-isa lang ako kasama ko ang aking mga anak o apo.’ Ganon po kasimple si Tatay Digong tuwing birthday.”
Go then underscored how the present circumstances differ, pointing to Duterte’s current isolation.
“Pero iba po ang sitwasyon ngayon,” he said. “Mag-isa lang po siya. Wala siyang kausap, wala siyang kasama.”
He followed this with a direct appeal to supporters, urging sustained prayers. “Pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, ipagdasal po natin si Tatay Digong,” Go said, emphasizing persistence. “Huwag tayong tumigil sa pagdadasal sa kanyang kaligtasan at kalusugan. Huwag tayong tumigil.”
Go also reflected on Duterte’s path to the presidency and his years in office, stressing that his leadership was shaped by public demand and service.
“Alam nyo si Tatay Digong ginawa lang niya ang trabaho nya para sa bayan,” he said. He recalled that Duterte had not initially intended to run. “Hindi na dapat tatakbo ng presidente yan noon e. Pinilit ng tao,” he added, before noting the scale of Duterte’s efforts while in office. “Ginawa nya po ang lahat para sa kinabukasan ng ating anak.”
The senator described the current situation as deeply emotional for supporters. “Isa ito sa pinakamalungkot na birthday ni Tatay Digong na mapalayo po sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
During the activity, Go expressed gratitude to Davao residents and supporters who turned out in large numbers for the late afternoon solidarity walk, recognizing their deliberate presence for Duterte’s birthday apart from the morning civic festivities. He acknowledged their continued show of support and encouraged them to extend that same support to Duterte’s family, whom he described as continuing in public service.
He also recognized the presence of longtime allies, local officials, and former Cabinet members who joined the event, noting that many had worked with Duterte since his early years in local governance and have remained steadfast in their support.
Returning to a personal reflection, Go spoke about his long working relationship with Duterte and the emotional toll of recent events.
“Napakasimpleng tao,” he said, reiterating Duterte’s character. He then addressed the crowd directly, saying, “Sa totoo lang, kung nasaktan po kayo mas nasaktan po ako,” before explaining the depth of their association. “Dahil halos araw-araw kong kasama si Tatay Digong since 1998 hanggang 2022.”
He acknowledged his own reaction to the situation. “Kung meron man pong nasaktan dito, ako po iyon,” he said, adding candidly, “Talagang na-depress po ako sa nangyari.”
Go concluded by sharing his birthday wish for Duterte and renewing his call for prayers.
“Ang wish ko po ngayon sa birthday ni Tatay Digong, sana makauwi na siya dito sa ating bayan,” he said, noting Duterte’s age. “81 years old na po si Tatay Digong.”
He added a personal assessment of Duterte’s current state. “Sa totoo lang, sabi ko nga harmless na si Tatay Digong,” before ending with another appeal to the public: “So nakikiusap po ako sa inyo, huwag po tayong tumigil na ipagdasal si Tatay Digong.”
The late afternoon solidarity walk, held specifically for Duterte’s birthday, formed part of the wider Araw ng Dabaw celebration. Earlier in the day, the traditional civic parade proceeded as scheduled, while supporters later gathered to mark the occasion with a separate expression of support for the former president during a period marked by his absence from the country.