Thousands attend BBM rally in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Thousands of people attended the campaign rally of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos who arrived here Tuesday with some of his senatorial slate, but his running mate Davao City Sara Duterte was notably absent.

A photo from the Facebook page of Zamboanga City Rep. Mannix Dalipe shows presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos during their caravan on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. 

Marcos’ group, including his local candidates led by Rep. Mannix Dalipe, held a caravan before going to the Universidad de Zamboanga Summit Center in the village of Tetuan where he spoke of his plans and used hand gestures projecting strong leadership.

His supporters cheered as Marcos spoke, promising unity among Filipinos, among other pledges he similarly said in every political rally he attended. The multipurpose indoor sport arena has a seating capacity of only 10,000. The venue of the rally was chosen by Professor Esnaen Catong, president of Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in Zamboanga Peninsula, for security reasons and as a contingency for the unpredictable weather condition here.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar approved the permit for the rally and ordered police and military to secure the university and the venue while Marcos was there. Marcos left the rally shortly before 3 p.m. and headed to the airport where his jet was parked.

Photos from Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar's social media page show her meeting with presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos at the Zamboanga City International Airport before the former senator departs Tuesday, March 29, 2022. 

Salazar was also waiting for Marcos at the airport and they briefly spoke with the former senator thanking the mayor for her hospitality. They also gave each other a congenial embrace. Marcos was overheard saying "Oh my gosh, I forget, how are you, it's been a long time," and the duo shook hands several times.

The mayor and Marcos were former colleagues in the House of Representatives in the past and also worked together when the mayor fought for the non-inclusion of Zamboanga City in the Bangsamoro entity when Marcos was then the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government. (Zamboanga Post)