Marcos concerned over info on infiltrators at Iglesia Ni Cristo rally

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he was concerned over information of possible infiltrators who might cause trouble at the protest action held by the Iglesia Ni Cristo at the EDSA People Power Monument on Tuesday.

“Ako malakas ang loob ko kasi sa buong kasaysayan ang Iglesia, pag nag-rally, kahit napakarami, hindi sila nanggugulo. And that was my, that for me was the main concern that somebody might get hurt. Ang problema lang namin is that merong informasyon na siyempre merong mga, mag-infiltrate, mag-agitate. ‘Yun ang inaalala namin,” Marcos told reporters during an ambush interview at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay CIty before he departed for an official visit to Canada.

(I am confident that in the history of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, when they rally even with huge numbers of people, they don’t create trouble…. Our only problem is that there is information that of course there are infiltrators, agitators. We were concerned about that.)

Marcos added what was important was the safety of the people at the assembly which topped at over 15,000.

“Ang pinaka-importante sa amin, walang masaktan. Either tiga-iglesia o kung sino man na mapunta roon na manggulo. So let's just keep everything stable and peaceful. And so far it has been. So I thank everybody involved for keeping it safe for everybody,” he said.

(The most important thing for us, no one gets hurt. Either an INC member or anyone who went there to create trouble.)

Marcos also denied allegations that his administration has been selective in administering justice.

“(That’s) their opinion, I believe they're wrong,” the President said without elaborating.

On Tuesday, some members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) traveled all the way from outside Metro Manila with their families to join the surprise protest, calling for accountability from those involved in corruption.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said this office will proceed with the filing of plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta amid the ongoing rally.

Earlier, Remulla said the Ombudsman will file plunder charges against the senator, a member of the INC, this week in connection with Marcoleta's undeclared campaign contributions worth around P75 million.

At 8 p.m. Wednesday, an INC minister informed the crowd at EDSA that their assembly had ended and they would transfer to the Liwasan Bonifacio in Manila —RF, GMA News