Caravans drum up support for Duterte

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — Calling themselves FORD (Friends of Rodrigo Duterte) movement, organizers yesterday staged a caravan of at least 50 cars and hundreds of motorcycles that went around 16 towns in the 3rd and 4th districts of Leyte to gather support for the presidency of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Ian dela Cerna, self-appointed Leyte provincial coordinator for Duterte, said the movement was purely voluntary and that the caravan took off at the Ormoc City Plaza in the morning. Along the way, supporters joined the caravan, and their number increased as they went their way.

In their short stops at the centers of towns they passed, Dela Cerna said he was happy to note that the people warmly cheered them on. “I take time to ask people … all kinds … vendors, tricycle drivers, mga istambay, and six out of 10 would tell me na mga Duterte sila,” he said.

Today, another caravan for Duterte is scheduled at Tacloban City, this time organized by a group “Region 8 OFWs and Volunteers,” which will assemble at the MacArthur Park in Palo, Leyte at 8:30 a.m. before proceeding to the city proper where it will end up at Plaza Libertad, fronting the Capitol, for a program from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The volunteer group asked supporters to bring their T-shirts, any color, for a free printing of slogans of support for Duterte.  (FREEMAN)