By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The three-day public demonstration organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) officially came to a close on Thursday, with church leaders expressing hope that government officials would heed the concerns raised during the gathering.
Speaking in a televised message aired on Net 25, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala thanked thousands of participants, supporters, and members of the Philippine National Police who maintained peace and order throughout the series of assemblies.
Zabala said the organization believes its position has been clearly communicated to the authorities and voiced hope that justice would ultimately prevail, adding that laws should be applied fairly and not be manipulated to serve personal interests.
He also appealed to participants to disperse peacefully and return home safely, emphasizing that the demonstrations had remained orderly from beginning to end.
The protest began earlier this week at the People Power Monument along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Quezon City. However, organizers transferred the final day’s gathering to Liwasang Bonifacio after the Quezon City government revoked the permit allowing the rally to continue at its original venue.
The demonstrations were organized to show support for Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing a possible plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. Church leaders have argued that the legal action represents unequal enforcement of the law, maintaining that the case reflects what they described as selective justice.
The allegations stem from Marcoleta’s reported failure to declare approximately ₱75 million in campaign donations received from three contributors, among them former representative Mike Defensor.
According to the Manila Police District, an estimated 4,400 people were present at Liwasang Bonifacio as of 6 p.m. on Thursday, marking the final day of the protest.
The peaceful dispersal ended three consecutive days of demonstrations that drew national attention after organizers unexpectedly occupied the People Power Monument before relocating the assembly to Manila following the permit cancellation.
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