Duterte, supporters free to hold rally in Tagum City, mayor says

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy on Saturday said he would not prevent the holding of a rally at the provincial capitol sports complex here by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Uy denied allegations by former Speaker and now Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez that he had attempted to influence suspended Gov. Edwin Jubahib to stop Sunday’s mass action.

“Anybody in Tagum can hold a rally, with or without a permit,” Uy told local reporters during a press conference.

Alvarez claimed that Uy had called Jubahib by phone and asked him not to allow the “Hakbang ng Maisug” rally to be held at the Davao del Norte provincial sports complex on Sunday night.

Furthermore, Alvarez had alleged Jubahib’s 60-day suspension was due to his supposed refusal to heed the appeal of a Palace official against allowing the holding of the rally, which is expected to draw Duterte’s supporters.

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Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, are expected to attend the 7 p.m. event.

Jubahib and his supporters are also expected to be there.

“We don’t ban rallies here. Everybody is welcome to attend the rally,” Mayor Uy said.

On Saturday, Jubahib said he received information that the acting governor and the mayor’s son, Vice Gov. De Carlo Uy had ordered capitol employees and department heads not to attend the prayer rally and that police had been ordered to set up checkpoints to prevent the entry of rally attendees into the city.

“It means they’re trying to prevent people from joining the rally,” the embattled official said.

The acting governor over the weekend inspected several facilities of the provincial government, including the kitchen area of the provincial disaster action center, and found that meals intended for Jubahib’s supporters holding a rally at the capitol were being prepared there.

While Acting Gov. Uy said he understood the capitol employees who showed their support for Jubahib when he was served with the preventive suspension order, he admitted he had warned capitol workers against further participation in mass actions.

“Let’s stop this already. Do not participate. Let’s not further escalate things. I want government running as much as possible,” Acting Gov. Uy recalled telling department heads.