PNP, AFP, DOJ, Manila City Hall prepare for Iglesia ni Cristo rally

The Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Manila City Hall are preparing to keep peace and order in connection with the Iglesia ni Cristo's (INC) three-day anti-corruption protest that begins on Sunday.

According to a 24 Oras report by Sandra Aguinaldo on Friday, the PNP will be deploying more than 16,000 police personnel.

The DOJ also said that it would deploy prosecutors in various locations, including Manila and Quezon City, in case violence breaks out.

“We don’t know where this might [happen]… We hope that it doesn’t happen, but when it does happen, we have our prosecutors ready on standby,” said Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.

The AFP said that troops would be on standby to assist the PNP in case of emergencies, while Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned troublemakers and asked parents to remind their children not to join disorderly groups.

Meanwhile, the Manila City Government announced the following road closures in preparation for the protests:

LUNETA PARK

• Both lanes of Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to P. Burgos Ave.
• Roxas Blvd. (southbound lane) from Katigbak Drive to P. Quirino Ave.
• Roxas Blvd. (northbound lane) from Quirino Ave. to P. Burgos Ave.
• Katigbak Drive and South Drive
• Independence Road
• East- and westbound lanes of Kalaw Ave. from Taft Ave. to Roxas BIvd.
• East- and westbound lanes of P. Burgos Ave. from Taft Ave. to Roxas Blvd.
• Maria Orosa St. from U.N. Ave. to P. Burgos Ave.
• Stretch of Finance Road from Taft Ave. to P. Burgos Ave.
• Roundtable (Palacio St. and Gen. Luna St.)
• Mabini St. from Kalaw Ave. to U.N. Ave.

CHINO ROCES BRIDGE (MENDIOLA)

• Stretch of C.M. Recto Ave. from N. Reyes St. to Mendiola St.
• Stretch of Legarda St. from Figueras St. to San Rafael St.

LIWASANG BONIFACIO

• Stretch of Magallanes Drive from Jones Bridge to McArthur Bridge

AYALA BRIDGE

• Ayala Bridge
• Eastbound lane of Ayala Blvd. from San Marcelino St. to Romualdez St.

The PNP said that 300,000 are expected to join the protest organized by the United People’s Initiative (UPI) at the People Power Monument and EDSA Shrine, while 100,000 are expected to join the INC protest at the Quirino Grandstand.

In a statement, AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military "will work closely with law enforcement authorities to guarantee that these gatherings remain orderly, safe, and consistent with the law."

"We call on organizers and participants to help uphold their commitment to peaceful conduct. Your cooperation is essential in preventing any attempt by infiltrators or outside elements to take advantage of these events for unlawful purposes. Protecting the integrity of these assemblies is a shared responsibility," Brawner said.

"Our rights are powerful tools for democracy. Using them responsibly strengthens, rather than divides, our country," he added. 

INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala said they ask the government "to conduct a just and open investigation of all who are allegedly involved so that the perpetrators will be held accountable and the funds that they have stolen will be returned to the public coffers."

“‘Kaya gusto namin magrally, gusto namin manatiling gising at hindi tumitigil ang ating pagnanasa na magkaroon ng pananagutan ang may sala,” added retired AFP general Virgilio Garcia.

(The reason why we want to do a rally is because we want to remain aware, and our desire for accountability for those responsible does not stop.)

PDP-Laban also said that they intend to join other groups in their protests. –Jiselle Anne Casucian/NB/VBL, GMA Integrated News