Iglesia Ni Cristo protest to continue at Liwasang Bonifacio on July 2

The protest action of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) will continue at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday, July 2 after the Quezon City government revoked their permit extension to stage their rally at EDSA-White Plains area.

According to Jamie Santos’ report in “Saksi” on Wednesday, the protesters ended their program at 8 p.m. in accordance with the permit given to them earlier by the Quezon City government. Participants were also told to clean the area and bring their trash before leaving the premises.

An INC minister told the protesters that the rally will be held at Liwasang Bonifacio on Thursday as the area does not require a permit to stage a program there.

“Lilipat tayo para mairaos natin ‘yung karapatan natin na ginagarantya ng Saligang Batas. Kaya mga kapatid, lilipat tayo sa Maynila, sa Liwasang Bonifacio,” the minister said.

(We are transferring so we can exercise our rights guaranteed by the Constitution. That is why, brethren, we are moving to Manila, to Liwasang Bonifacio.)

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Police Major General Anthony Aberin said an initial 1,000 police personnel will be deployed at Liwasang Bonifacio.

Aberin added that more cops could be deployed depending on the number of participants on Thursday.

The NCRPO also sought augmentation from other police units and is ready to install more CCTV cameras nearby.

“We are on full alert status. We will maintain that status. May deployment kami sa periphery ng Malacañang,” said Aberin.

Meanwhile, protesters said that they will continue to join the assembly in Manila.

“Babalik at babalik po kami rito para ibigay ‘yung suporta para sa pinaglalaban po natin,” one rallyist said.

(We will keep coming back to show our support for what we are fighting for.)

“Full force na full force po, mapa Liwasang Bonifacio. Saan man po dalhin ‘yung laban na ito, kasama po kami ng pamamahala po,” another protester said.

(We will be out in full force, even at Liwasang Bonifacio. Wherever this fight takes us, we stand united with the church leadership.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News