VICE presidential bet and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte expressed gratitude to a group of retired police and military officers for showing their full backing to the UniTeam.

Mayor Sara and presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos Jr. were present in an event where The groups of retired generals and non-commissioned officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are giving their all-out support to the UniTeam in Marikina City.

“Una po ang pagpapasalamat namin sa Tuason family, sa inyo pong pagtanggap dito sa amin dito at sa inyo pong pagpapakita ng suporta sa UniTeam nina Bongbong Marcos at Sara Duterte, at sa lahat po ng ating retired officers from the AFP and PNP,” Mayor Sara said.

“I hope that we will be able to make it this election, and we solicit your continued support sa trabaho po namin para sa ating bansa. Mahalin po natin ang Pilipinas,” she added.

The UniTeam tandem was also given souvenir tokens from the retired military and police generals and officers and enlisted personnel.

The uniformed officials hosted the turnover of the manifesto of support, which was signed by over 500 retired senior officers. The same manifesto was later signed by Marcos and Mayor Sara at the office of The Arms Corporation of the Philippines (ARMSCOR).

“We laud the long-term plan of the UNITEAM of Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Sara Duterte Carpio, which we believe will bring the Philippines back to its former glory,” the Manifesto for National Unity, For Peace, and Inclusiveness Progress read.

“It has been our dream for a free, peaceful, and prosperous Philippines, through a government that has genuine concern for the Filipino,” the manifesto added.

The manifesto of support also cited Marcos and Mayor Sara service in the military.

“Kay Bongbong Marcos na dati ring sundalo at si Sara Duterte na isang reservist kami nakakasiguro na magiging epektibo ang kanilang liderato sa larangan ng pambansang seguridad, kapayapaan, kaayusan at ang kaunlaran na siyang matagal nang inaasam-asam ng mamamayang Pilipino,” the statement of support said.

Duterte is a colonel of the Philippine Army Reserve Command in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), while Marcos has history in serving the military.

One of the signatories in the manifesto of support is former Police Brigadier General Roberto Fajardo, who is also the former director of Highway Patrol and the Civil Security Group.

Fajardo, in an interview, said Marcos and Duterte are the “future of the nation.”

He also described Mayor Sara as a strong leader who can continue the leadership that her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, started.

“Inday Sara is a very passionate leader. Kumbaga, she has the vision to do what is right, and she is always looking for the welfare of the people,” Fajardo said.

A mini-rally was also held near the ARMSCOR office where the Uniteam supporters were gathered amidst a heavy downpour on Saturday.

Later in the evening, a grand rally was held at the Riverbanks Center in Marikina City.