“SON OF MAASIN AND SOUTHERN LEYTE” Duterte welcome “fit for a president”

by Chito A. Fuentes

MAASIN CITY – Southern Leyte’s welcome for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was “fit for a president”.

“It’s just like we are welcoming the president,” said a policeman who braved the heat of the sun while waiting for Duterte to arrive. 

Admirers swarm all over Mayor Rodrigo Duterte after he alighted from the helicopter at the Maasin port. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

The “son of Maasin and Southern Leyte” walked into a rousing welcome in his birthplace.

Tarpaulin streamers with the words “Welcome Home!!!” were prominently displayed in strategic areas of the city.

In spite of the lavish expression of support for a possible presidential bid in the land of his birth, Duterte refused to be carried away.

Duterte arrived by helicopter at the Maasin port where he was met by government officials led by Gov. Roger Mercado, Rep. Damian Mercado and Maayor Maloney Samaco.

Also on hand to welcome the mayor were members of the Roa clan, Karancho motorcycle club members and political supporters.

Duterte was ushered by a motorcade to the Maasin City Hall where he spoke before incumbent and past barangay captains from the city’s 70 barangays.

Along the way, curious residents lined the road eager to catch a glimpse of Duterte.

In his talk before the barangay captains, Duterte insisted that he is going around only because of his advocacy for federalism. 

‘I am just raising the awareness for a federal state,’ Duterte declared in two different venues where he spoke Sunday.

Duterte noted that President Benigno Aquino III, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Deles and Moro Islamic Liberation Front leader Al-Haj Murad have all warned against violence if the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) fails.

“Why am I so passionate about this thing?” he asked.

He proceeded to answer his own question emphatically.

“Because Mindanao and Davao City will be the battleground,” he added.

Duterte said that if there is anybody who does not want trouble in Mindanao, “it is me!”

The mayor lamented, however, that “no one seems to be minding the store”.

“I have yet to hear an official of this government who would offer a word on what we will do (in case violence breaks down),” he added.

When their turn to speak came, Gov. Mercado, Rep. Mercado and Samaco all expressed their support to whatever decision Duterte will make in the future. 

The mayor took a quick lunch at the city council session hall hosted by Gov. Mercado which was attended by Southern Leyte mayors. 

From there, Duterte proceeded to the Laboon Barangay gym to address the fourth Roa Clan grand reunion. He was joined by the three top officials until his last stop.

The mayor’s mother, Soledad Roa-Duterte, was a member of the clan which forms the majority of Barangay Laboon.

After his talk, Duterte briefly visited Laboon Elementary School where four of his primary school classmates were waiting.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (middle) poses with his primary classmates (left to right) Leonila Faelnar, Constancia Magaran-Ortega, Magdalena Antoc-Francisco and Paterno Jacobe at the Laboon Elementary School grounds. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

The mayor recalled that he stayed with his grandmother for a year in Laboon which explained his brief stint at the school.

The four – Constancia Magaran-Ortega, Magdalena Antoc-Francisco, Leonila Faelnar and Paterno Jacobe – welcomed him with leis after he entered the school gate.

For a brief moment, the five who briefly shared a common bond more than six decades ago stared at each other speechless before Duterte recovered his bearings and started to converse with his former classmates.

“You go to Davao. I will spend for your fare and accommodation there,” he told them.

The four stared briefly at the mayor, unsure if they heard it right before clapping their hands to express their appreciation for Duterte’s offer.

By the time the mayor headed back for Cebu, many people in Maasin and Southern Leyte said they know whom they will vote for president in next year’s polls.

It seems they have already made up their minds, even before Duterte could even make his. (CHITO A. FUENTES)