PNP admits being caught off guard by Iglesia Ni Cristo rally as EDSA traffic grinds to a halt

The police admitted they were caught off guard and failed to prepare for the massive traffic gridlock caused by the ongoing Iglesia ni Cristo rally, which is expected to last until Wednesday.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras”, members of the religious group suddenly flooded the People Power Monument at EDSA-White Plains in the early hours of Tuesday.

The demonstrators stated that the protest is a condemnation of corruption and the alleged harassment being faced by their fellow INC member, Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

By around 3:00 PM, the crowd estimate reached 13,000 for the gathering, which reportedly does not have a rally permit.

While the National Capital Region Police Office had prior intelligence reports regarding the rally, authorities admitted they were still caught off guard.

“Nagkaroon po tayo ng gulatan, hindi natin alam na magkakaroon sila ng pagtitipon na ganito. Kaya wala tayong preparasyon regarding sa traffic since wala po silang permit, wala tayong preparasyon para sa kanilang pagtitipon,” said NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo.

(We were caught by surprise; we didn't know they were going to hold a gathering like this. That’s why we had no preparation regarding traffic—since they don't have a permit, we had no preparation for their assembly.)

Vehicles blocked EDSA, including buses marked with the name of an INC-owned university that were deliberately parked across the lanes.

As a result, a portion of EDSA-White Plains was turned into a virtual parking lot.

Authorities had to remove the concrete barriers along the busway to provide some relief to the gridlock.

Motorists have no choice, but to deal with the inconveniences.

“Kakainis, pero biyahe po. Wala na. Lugi,” one driver said.

(It’s frustrating, but I still have to drive.)

“Walang magagawa. Nandiyan na eh,” a motorcycle rider said.

(There’s nothing we can do. It is what it is.)

But INC members in the rally asked for understanding.

“At sa mga tao na nagprehuwisyo dahil sa naging traffic po, humihingi po kami ng paumanhin. At sana po maunawaan nyo na ang laban na ito, na gusto naming ipanawagan sa pamahalaan at gobyerno ng Pilipinas, hindi lang po laban po namin kundi laban po nating lahat,” one of the rallyists said.

(And to the people who were inconvenienced by the traffic, we ask for your apology. We hope you understand that this fight—which we want to bring to the attention of the Philippine government—is not just our fight, but a fight for all of us.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) was placed on full alert status during the protest.

NCRPO Chief Major General Anthony Aberin said that the INC is currently applying for a rally permit from the Quezon City Hall.

Authorities are now preparing for the possibility that the protest could extend until tomorrow.

Aberin maintained that he is not giving any special treatment to the protesters, despite being a member of the INC himself.

“Although INC po tayo, we will abide by the Constitution. We are for the duly constituted authorities. Doon po tayo sa nakakarami,” said Aberin.

(Although I am an INC member, we will abide by the Constitution. We stand with the duly constituted authorities. We stand with the majority.)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stated that they will respect the right of every Filipino to peaceably assemble and express their grievances.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to coordinate with the PNP to monitor the situation.

The AFP is appealing to the rally organizers to ensure that the public is not entirely inconvenienced by the ongoing mobilization —Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA News