By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest that brought major portions of EDSA to a standstill for two days will relocate to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila today after the Quezon City government revoked the rally permit it had earlier issued, citing widespread disruption to commuters, students, workers, and businesses.
The decision effectively ends the controversial gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument, where thousands of INC members had assembled to express support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who faces a looming plunder case linked to alleged irregular campaign donations during the 2025 elections.
Quezon City’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) withdrew the permit Wednesday night after receiving numerous complaints over the impact of the rally on daily life.
In its revocation order, the city government said the protest had caused severe inconvenience to the public, noting that thousands of commuters arrived late for work and school—or failed to reach their destinations altogether—while commercial establishments also suffered losses.
City officials further alleged that rally participants violated the conditions of their permit by extending beyond White Plains Avenue and occupying portions of EDSA, contrary to their agreement.
The INC wrapped up its EDSA program at around 8 p.m. Wednesday before preparing to transfer the protest to Manila.
DPOS chief Elmo San Diego explained that Quezon City initially issued an open-ended permit after organizers projected that as many as 100,000 participants could gather.
The city had prepared extensive logistical support, including police deployment, crowd management, and public safety measures, anticipating the possibility that protesters could remain in the area overnight.
However, actual attendance fell significantly short of expectations.
By 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, the Quezon City Police District estimated the crowd at only 6,000 protesters.
During Wednesday’s rally, Senator Rodante Marcoleta declared he was prepared to face arrest if necessary, insisting that the accusations against him were politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.
Despite the public demonstrations, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla stood firm, declaring that the government’s decision to pursue plunder charges remains unchanged.
“Nothing has changed. We will file,” Remulla told reporters.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin described the second day of protests as significantly more orderly compared to Tuesday’s unpermitted demonstration.
According to Aberin, the issuance of a permit imposed clearer rules on protesters, allowing authorities to maintain better crowd control.
He also emphasized that law enforcement has not observed signs of destabilization, saying the gathering remains a lawful protest confined to a designated area.
However, intelligence operatives reportedly detected individuals unaffiliated with the INC mingling with protesters during the first day of demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police strengthened security across Metro Manila by establishing border checkpoints at major entry points from Central Luzon and CALABARZON.
PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co clarified that the checkpoints are intended to ensure public safety rather than prevent people from entering the National Capital Region.
As the demonstrations continued, more than 30 civil society organizations issued a joint statement criticizing the INC rally and questioning why thousands of people were mobilized in support of a public official facing legal scrutiny.
The groups argued that in a constitutional democracy, no elected official should rely on mass demonstrations to influence, discourage, or cast doubt on the impartial enforcement of the law.
Among the organizations signing the statement were Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan Party, Liberal Party, 1Sambayan, Magdalo Party, Alyansa Tigil Mina, EveryWoman, Democracy Watch Philippines, Partido Manggagawa, and several other civic organizations.
The relocation of the rally highlights the difficult balance government officials must maintain between protecting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and safeguarding the welfare of millions of Filipinos who depend on Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares for work, education, commerce, and emergency services.
With the protest now shifting to Liwasang Bonifacio, authorities hope to reduce the widespread disruptions that characterized the first two days of demonstrations while allowing participants to continue expressing their views within a more manageable venue.
ia/xf
