MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo gathered at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday in support of a senator it helped win in the last elections and who is now facing arrest for plunder.
The INC rally has become a security and traffic concern in the area.
As of 9 a.m., the number of people swelled to 9,000 with 900 police officers deployed, Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, National Capital Region Police Office Regional director, said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the constitutional right of Filipinos to peacefully assemble and express their views.
In a statement, the agency said it instructed the PNP to exercise maximum tolerance while implementing security and traffic management measures in coordination with local authorities to maintain public safety and minimize disruptions during the activity.
The DILG called on rally participants and other stakeholders to exercise their rights responsibly, follow existing laws, and cooperate with authorities deployed to manage the event.
The department said it would continue to balance the protection of public safety with the need to uphold the constitutional freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.
THE INC threw it's support behind Sen. Rodante Marcoleta in the 2025 national elections.
Marcoleta is facing arrest allegedly for plunder.
