Despite the heat, supporters of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte attend his victory party in Davao City. (INQUIRER)
Davao City — Amid the sweltering heat, thousands of people trooped to the sprawling Crocodile Park here to participate in a thanksgiving party for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte yesterday.
As organizers did not allow the bringing in of umbrellas citing security reasons, revelers sat under the shade of trees around the venue, or bought hats and fans hawked by vendors.
The privately organized thanksgiving party dubbed “One Nation, One Love” kicked off around 1 p.m., with performances by local and Manila-based artists. The revelry was expected to last until early today.
“We will wait until evening so we can hear the mayor speak,” said Rosell Banorden, a 40-year old construction worker from Barangay Panacan.
“We are proud of him,” said Banorden, who was accompanied by his wife and some relatives from Davao del Norte. The Banordens were among those who had arrived early at the park.
Banorden said he did not mind coming early and enduring the searing heat as he wanted to be part of a “once-in-a lifetime event.”
Another supporters of Duterte from Tagum City arrived here as early as Friday evening to attend the thanksgiving event, choosing to sleep in the open field of Davao Crocodile Park rather than risk traveling the next day alongside hundreds of thousands of expected attendees.
Bebeng Inio, who came here with her husband and neighbors, said, “Manood kami dyan kay President Duterte,” adding that they also plan to sell food like fish crackers to be able to bring home money.
Inio, who sells “chichirya” or junk food at bus terminals, said she has been a vendor for 15 years.
Asked what they expect of Duterte, who they called their “favorite” candidate during the May elections, she said they hope that he will be able to solve the problem of drugs.
Aside from Davao residents, supporters as far as Luzon and Visayas also came in droves to join in the event.
At least 4,000 soldiers, police and civilian volunteers were deployed to ensure the security of revelers. Scores of local and Manila-based artists have started to perform around 1 p.m.
Paramedics from the Central 911 and other medical personnel were also being deployed at strategic areas within the venue to respond to emergencies.