Rallyists yet to arrive at EDSA People Power Monument

Hours before its scheduled start, rallyists have yet to assemble at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday to join the anti-corruption protest organized by a group of retired police and military personnel.

According to a report of GMA Integrated News' Jonathan Andal, preparations are still ongoing for the rally organized by the United People's Initiative (UPI) as of 12 noon. The main program was slated to begin at around 4 p.m. and was permitted to be held until 10 p.m.

UPI said it is expecting at least 300,000 people to join the protest, which include members of PDP-Laban, One Bangsamoro, Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, and Iglesia Ni Cristo. It also said other organizations are welcome to join the rally.

"Hindi namin sila pinagbabawalan magsalita pero ang ina-assure namin sa kanila at binibigay na strict instructions, sumunod tayo sa napagkasunduan between QCPD… May paraan para isigaw yan nang hindi nagiging seditious," UPI Secretary-General Capt. Rey Valeros (retired) said.

(We will not prohibit the speakers from making speeches but we will give them strict instructions to follow the agreement with the Quezon City Police District. They can say their piece without making seditious remarks.)

"Pababain namin sa stage. Maliwanag yun at tuturuan namin na pakire-word, paki-tama ang sinasabi kasi may paraan naman e. Sa side namin, talagang control namin ang stage at speakers. Ngayon outside sa stage, hindi namin maco-control yun," Valeros added.

(If a speaker would violate, we will ask them to get off the stage and tell them to reword their speech. We can control the stage and speakers but outside, we think that is impossible.)

Meanwhile, around 1,500 cops were deployed within the vicinity to ensure public safety.Another 350 police personnel were deployed at the Batasang Pambansa.

The UPI, composed of at least 1,000 retired police and military personnel, are calling for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and legislators to end corruption.

Meanwhile,  Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos Jr. has long been taking steps to curb corruption, adding it was the President who started the investigation into the alleged anomalous government projects.

"Ang mga nagnanais na siya ay mawala sa pwesto ay mga tao at mga supporters na tinatamaan ng pag-iimbestiga na ito," Castro said.

(Those who want the President out of office are the people and their supporters who are affected by the probe.)

"Naglalabasan na ang mga ebidensya kaya huwag natin hayaang padilimin itong muli ng mga team itim na naghahasik ng kadiliman sa gobyerno  at siyang  nagnanais na ipatigil ang pagpapanagot sa mga sangkot. Pag naiba ang liderato, maaaring hindi na ituloy ang mga pag iimbestiga na ito at makalaya ang mga kurakot," she said.

(The evidence is coming out so let's not let these black teams who are sowing darkness in the government and who want to stop holding those involved accountable muddle the issue. If the leadership changes, these investigations may not continue and the corrupt may go free.) —Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News