Groups start to gather for Iglesia Ni Cristo rally at Liwasang Bonifacio

Several groups are starting to gather at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday for the third day of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally.

The crowd estimate in the area is 350 early Thursday, according to Bam Alegre's report on Unang Balita, citing the Manila Police District (MPD).

Authorities expect the number to grow throughout the day as those who attended the previous rally in EDSA will head to Manila after the Quezon City government decided not to extend their permit to hold a protest at the EDSA-White Plains area.

LIVE UPDATES: Iglesia Ni Cristo rally at Liwasang Bonifacio (July 2, 2026)

An INC minister told the protesters there 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 has said that an initial 1,000 police personnel will be deployed at Liwasang Bonifacio.

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

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, meanwhile, has suspended classes in the city due to the rally.

"In light of the expected transfer of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest to Liwasang Bonifacio in the City of Manila, I am announcing the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, today, Thursday, 2 July 2026," Moreno said in a social media post. —VAL, GMA NEWS