Iglesia Ni Cristo families, students, workers flock to EDSA rally backing Marcoleta

Some members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) travelled all the way from outside Metro Manila with their families to join the massive protest at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, calling for accountability from those involved in corruption.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the protest site seemingly became a picnic for some families. For instance, Rose Marie Lalamunan arrived with her loved ones from Cavite.

“Nandito po kami para hindi lang po ipaglaban yung katotohanan,” said Rose Marie.

(We are here not just to fight for the truth.)

“Para amin pong maipadama sa kapatid na Rodante Marcoleta na hindi lang siya nag-iisang lumalaban sa hamon ng buhay o sa mga ganitong pangyayari,” she added.

(This is also to make our brother, Rodante Marcoleta, feel that he is not alone in fighting life's challenges or facing these kinds of situations.)

Meanwhile, some students did not mind the long walk amid the traffic just to participate in the protest.

“Naglakad pa po kami dito ng mahigit isang oras, para lang makarating dito bilang pakikiisa po. Tapos isa din po, para managot yung dapat managot,” said senior high school student Rhonifer Indoc.

(We even walked for over an hour just to get here in solidarity. And another thing is, we want those responsible to be held accountable.)

On the other hand, some protesters took leave from their work to join the protest.

“Sobra na yung panggigipit ng gobyerno sa mamamayang Pilipino,” one said.

(The government’s harassment of the Filipino people has become too much.)

“Nakikiisa kami sa gawain ng Iglesia Ni Cristo. Gusto po namin na maging transparent yung gobyerno, na huwag baluktutin yung batas,” another protester said.

(We are standing in solidarity with the work of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. We want the government to be transparent, and to stop twisting the law.)

Some sought shade under the trees, while others had already fallen asleep, with most of them having to endure hunger at the site.

Chaos then erupted along the southbound lane just before 2:00 PM.

As of 3:00 PM, the number of protesters reached 13,000, occupying the entirety of White Plains Avenue up to EDSA. As a result, only a single lane remained open on both the northbound and southbound lanes of EDSA.

A section of EDSA turned into a virtual parking lot as there was little to no movement of vehicles traversing the southbound lane.

Several personalities also joined the rally, including former congressman Mike Defensor, who addressed the Ombudsman's plan to file plunder charges against him alongside Marcoleta.

“Hindi ako magtatago. Noon pa, hindi ako nagtatago. Sinasabi ko sa kanila, hindi sila mananalo. Pwede nila akong makulong, hindi ako magtatago. Lalaban ako at kung kaya ko pang magsalita nang magsalita, magsasalita ako laban dito,” Defensor told reporters.

(I will not hide. Even before, I have never gone into hiding. I am telling them, they will not win. They can imprison me, but I will not hide. I will fight, and as long as I can speak out, I will speak out against this.)

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Congressman Leandro Leviste also arrived at the gathering.

“Minsan paulit-ulit na ang pagnanakaw…Sobra na ang ginagawa. Tiisin na lang natin. Ako ay naniniwala po na kailangan ang hate to be challenged with love. Make no mistake po,” Cayetano said.

(Sometimes, the stealing just keeps happening over and over again... What they are doing is too much, [and people say] let's just endure it. But I believe that hate must be challenged with love. Make no mistake.)

Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson arrived at the protest in the evening to join their call. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA News