Support for Duterte resonates in Winnipeg

Levy Abad
Ang Peryodiko Vol. XV NO.5
March 1-15,2017
Winnipeg ,Manitoba

courtesy of  Nelson  `Nonie` Manalili

Cold weather did not deter the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines from gathering at the Forks to respond to the call of  groups supporting President Duterte to organize a global campaign in solidarity with the homefront, which many people perceive as being destabilized by the opposition forces whom they call "Dilawan" (Yellow).

Around fifty supporters converged with their flags, streamers and a life size picture of "Mayor Digong."  It was also an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the Philippines. They also brought food for the participants to partake.

Simultaneously, in the Philippines, rallies were organized and held in the traditional venues. One group had  a rally at the EDSA Shrine where some of the veterans of the EDSA uprising gathered by the thousands. On the other hand, the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte had their rally at the Quirino Grandstand, which according to Reuters, police estimate that around 200,000 people gathered to show their support for the programs of the Duterte regime against poverty, corruption and illegal drugs ("Duterte`s opponents turn historic event into protest march," Manuel Mogoto, Reuters, February 26, 2017). 

I asked Elaine Sauler- Tumbokon, the Winnipeg Manitoba Coordinator for the group - Duterte Winning Team, to give some words about the gathering and this is what she said, "We organized this event to support President Rodrigo Duterte because it is more fun in the Philippines if it is drug free."

Another lady who attended the Forks rally of the Duterte Winnipeg Team is Katya Labelle, who is also from Mindanao and whose mom is from Davao. She was surprised to know that I am from Davao too. Here is what she said, ʺI am here to show my support for the President. Even though I am not in the Philippines, I am proud of what he is doing to make the Philippines better.”

Joel Salazar of Batangas and the President of Talisay Association of Manitoba explained, ʺKahit kami ay nasa abroad, ‘di kami papayag na manahimik kung aatakihin nila ang Pangulong Digong. Si Digong ay ginagawa ang lahat para sa mga mahirap at hindi lang para sa iilan. Ang Pilipinas ay parang taong may cancer at hindi na pwedeng gamutin ng band aid lamang, ang kailangan ay matinding operasyon.ʺ

Edwin Ponce, for his part, said, ʺFeel na feel namin ang malaking pagbabago within 7 months governance. Si Mayor ay ginagawa ang lahat para matuldukan ang mga problema lalo na ang corruption, droga at kahirapan. Itong sa kabila naman, ginagawa ang lahat para patalsikin si Digong. They are doing black propaganda to tarnish the image of the Duterte government.”

Jesus Diotay from Negros, who grew up in Jolo, Sulu, has this message for President Duterte, “Continue with the programs that you are implementing and we will be at your back supporting you along the way. We are also ready to struggle even if we are here in Winnipeg in the midst of the cold weather, we will be supporting you.”

Elmer De Guzman commented, “We are here at the Forks to support President Rodrigo Duterte, and we are also thankful for the changes that Digong did. All the barriers that block the way of Digong have to be cleared.”

Aristotle Cedilla, also from Davao City, explained that he grew up with President Duterte when the latter was still the mayor of Davao City. He said, "Mayor Duterte is a hands-on leader. He responds to the needs of the ordinary people and that is why I support him.”

Last but not the least, Ray Forbes Argulla from Bulacan gave me his brief remark, "Mayor Digong is our President and he is doing well. The “Dilawans” are trying to oust him and so, even if it is freezing, we gathered here to express our support."

As a freelance writer, I went to the Forks thinking that most of the attendees would come from Mindanao or Davao City, in particular, but I was surprised to meet participants who came from different areas of the Philippines as well.

As an EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 participant, I can understand the frustration of the people with the previous regimes of Presidents Corazon Aquino, Joseph Estrada, Fidel Valdez Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, since these regimes are considered as failures in implementing the promises of the 1987 Freedom Constitution. From 1986 to 2016, thirty years had lapsed and not one of these regimes was able to launched nationalist industrialization and genuine agrarian reform.  It is only now under the Duterte administration that some patriotic and progressive individuals were appointed in the Cabinet. Among them are Secretary Judy Taguiwalo (Department of Social Welfare and Development), Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano (Department of Agrarian Reform), Under-Secretary Joel Maglunsod (Department of Labour and Employment), and Gina Lopez (Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources).  

The Duterte regime will be buffeted by tremendous pressure coming from the right, as represented by the `Yellow" opposition and the militarist faction in the AFP, to veer absolutely to the right and let go of the patriotic tendency and presence in the Cabinet.  We can see that this is happening now when the peace talks have been terminated, making the peace process the first victim of this tremendous pressure. Fortunately, talks are still going on.  Aside from Duterte`s programs against corruption and drugs, addressing the root cause of belligerency through socio- economic reforms is the most strategic way in achieving justice and lasting peace. 


(Levy Abad is a freelance writer and also a singer songwriter/recording artist and a member of Migrante Canada-Mb chapter and also a founding member/ program coordinator of Winnipeg Multicultural Human Rights Forum, Levy has released three albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes ), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3. Levy is soon to release a his fourth album by fall titled "I Love Canada". You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).