Iglesia Ni Cristo concludes 3-day rally in support of Marcoleta amid looming plunder charges

The Iglesia Ni Cristo has ended the three-day rally that it held while expressing support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, whom the Ombudsman said was about to be charged with plunder in connection with P75 million in campaign contributions that he chose not to declare in his Statement of Campaign Expenditures.

The first two days were held at the EDSA People Power Monument at White Plains Avenue in Quezon City from June 30 to July 1, which led to heavy traffic. The third and last day was moved to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday after the Quezon City government revoked their permit.

Iglesia Ni Cristo spokesperson Edwil Zabala thanked everyone who joined the massive protest.

“Salamat sa inyong lahat, sa pakikipag-isa sa mapayapang kilusan nating ito. Salamat sa inyong pagtitiyaga na kahit umuulan o mainit ang araw, ay narito pa rin kayo alang-alang sa ating mithiin," Zabala said in a video message aired on Net25.

"Higit sa lahat, nagpapasalamat tayo sa Diyos at umaasang kung ano ang kanyang kalooban ay siyang makapangyayari. Naniniwala tayo na naiparating natin nang malinaw sa mga kinauukulan ang ating mensahe,” he added.

(Thank you to all of you for uniting in this peaceful movement of ours. Thank you for your perseverance—that even through the rain or the heat of the sun, you are still here for the sake of our goal… Above all, we thank God and hope that whatever His will is, it shall prevail. We believe that we have clearly conveyed our message to the authorities.)

“Loobin nawa ng Diyos na maghari ang tunay na katarungan sa ating minamahal na bansa at huwag na huwag magtagumpay ang sinumang bumabaluktot sa batas para lamang sa kanilang makasariling kapakanan, kahit na ikapariwara ng ating bansa. Dito natin tinatapos ang ating peaceful rally,” he added.

(May God grant that true justice reigns in our beloved country, and may anyone who twists the law solely for their selfish interests never succeed, even if it leads to our country's ruin. We officially conclude our peaceful rally here.)

Around 500 cops were deployed at Liwasang Bonifacio on the last day of the protest, according to Mariz Umali’s report in “24 Oras.” Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard were also deployed along Kalaw Avenue and Roxas Boulevard.

“This is a freedom park. Let them stay here. 'Yung sa amin talaga, ang basic concern is the security and safety ng mga rallyist at sa ating mga kababayan,” said National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Major General Anthony Aberin.

“Maximum tolerance, respect for human rights. That's all. But maximum tolerance ceases to exist the moment that the law is violated and nasasaktan na ang pulis natin (when our police are getting hurt),” he added.

By afternoon, the protesters had begun to leave Liwasang Bonifacio, with the crowd spilling over onto Lawton Street. The demonstrators chanted in unison, demanding, "Huwag ikulong ang nag-iimbestiga!" and "Dapat managot ang mga kurakot! " while carrying signs reading, "Don't bend the law!"

The Manila city government, the Manila Police District (MPD), and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have issued advisories regarding road closures and traffic rerouting due to the ongoing protests.

According to Aberin, some of the closures affecting various streets and plazas were requested by the Manila city government itself as part of its heightened security measures. 0

There were 4,400 individuals who joined the protest in Manila, based on the crowd estimate by the MPD.

The protest was attended by several personalities speaking against alleged corruption in the present administration, including Senator Imee Marcos, Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, Senator Robin Padilla, and Marcoleta himself.

Malacañang earlier appealed to the leadership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo to ensure that its ongoing rally would not be used by groups seeking to destabilize the government. –NB/RF, GMA News