By Froilan Gallardo
Special Correspondent
SPEARHEADED by 40 “Bao-bao” the Philippine version of the popular Thailand auto-rickshaw, “Tuk-tuk,” 260 vehicles rolled for more than 90 kilometers in Misamis Oriental to support Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo and his running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan Saturday morning.
Former environment activist Carl Ceasar Rebuta, who coordinated the caravan, said despite the strict quarantine status, the convoy snaked to Tagoloan town from Manticao town, a distance of 90 kilometers.
“We stayed in the national highways although we really wanted to enter Cagayan de Oro the city is still under the status of General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions,” Rebuta said.
Rebuta said most of the vehicles were adorned with pink ribbons or banners, tarps of Leni and Kiko paid for by their owners.
Many of those who participated were first-timers in attending political activities.
Retired businessman Lito Munoz said he joined the caravan because he was fed up with the extrajudicial killings and corruption in the present administration.
“I even bought a pink T-shirt. I flashed pink ribbons from my car window as we moved along the highway,” Munoz said.
Lawyer Eddie Cuaresma took pains in posting “Leni-Kiko” decals on the participating vehicles.
“I have never (done) this kind of activism since I laid down on the highway to stop the trucks bearing illegal logs in my college days,” Cuaresma said adding he too had enough of the corruption and killings.
Rebuta said there were only at least three vehicles when the caravan started in Manticao town.
He said gradually the number of participating vehicles grew in every town they passed.
“By the time we reached Tagoloan town the caravan grew to 260 vehicles with 40 Bao-bao heading the convoy,” Rebuta said.