EDSA rally may be extended if organizers meet permit conditions — QC official

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) may be allowed to extend its gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument if organizers comply with conditions set by the Quezon City government, a local official said Wednesday.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "Balitanghali," Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC-DPOS) head Elmo San Diego said the INC had originally applied for a permit to hold the rally until Friday.

However, the city government approved only a one-day permit, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

San Diego said the permit could still be extended if organizers continue to comply with the conditions imposed by the local government.

These include keeping roads open and ensuring that the gathering remains peaceful and orderly.

He said the INC requested a four-day permit because it expects attendance to reach 100,000 people.

As of Wednesday afternoon, authorities estimated the crowd at around 3,000, while about 2,000 police officers had been deployed to secure the area.

San Diego said authorities are closely monitoring whether more participants will arrive in the coming hours.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said the four individuals arrested during Tuesday's commotion had been released.

According to Asilo, the bus driver involved in the incident in which a female police officer was injured was released after the officer decided not to file a complaint.

The three other individuals were also released but remain under further investigation.

INC members interviewed by GMA News Online on Tuesday said they joined the rally to call for accountability over corruption in the government. — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA News