Over 100 pro-Duterte riders and owners of private vehicles joined a protest ride in Cebu City morning on Thursday, January 29, 2026. However, one of the organizers is sued for alleged violation of a law on public assembly.

Former congressmen Michael (Mike) Defensor (Quezon City) and Jacinto (Jing) Paras (Negros Oriental) led the protest ride in Cebu City.

Duterte supporters traversed main thoroughfares in Cebu City. However, an attempt to get near a big establishment, which is a venue of the ASEAN Tourism Forum, was unsuccessful as police blocked the road.

“Nagkaroon ng blocking, kanina flowing yung traffic tapos bigla kaming hinarang. Actually, dadaan lang kami and we were supposed to stop in Fuente Osmeña,” Defensor said.

According to Jimboy Tiokno, one of the organizers, the group tried to proceed to Fuente Osmeña Rotunda but the area was closed reportedly due to repairworks.

Later, after about two hours, the group was startled at the presence of a number of policemen who impounded reportedly a few motorcycles of rider-participants.

Ernest (Jun) Abines, one of the organizers, was invited at Police Station 4.

“[Are you being arrested?] Am I being arrested? Am I being invited? Invited...I am being invited. If I will not go, will you arrest me? [Just cooperate with us],” Abines was heard talking to the authorities.

Later, Tiokno said, they learned that a case for violation of Batas Pambansa 880, or the Public Assembly Act of 1985, was filed against him.

“At first frustrated, now we are angry because gibaboy man gud mi, namauli na gud mi unya gigukod pa mi nila didto. What do you call that?” Tiokno said.

Abines denied violating any law in relation to the protest ride.

In a message sent by GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, Abines said he was just expressing his stand on various social issues.

“I am just exercising my rights of expression. They say they are doing their job. I think we are under silent martial law,” Abines said in a text message to the news team.

The group has called for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and expressed dismay over the reported massive corruption in the country.

“So that people will know on how corrupt our government is and how oppressive they are. Mao bitaw na nga mo-protest ta so that your voice will be heard,” Tiokno pointed out.

Further, the organizers said they condemn strongly the alleged repression to their freedom of expression. 

The pro-Duterte supporters added they aspire to be heard by the international community.

The organizers are set to stage a similar activity in the National Capital Region end of January 2026.

As of this writing, the news team is awaiting a statement from the police on the issue.