Senator Calls for Retraining of Police Officer in Viral INC Rally Confrontation

Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for accountability from a police officer seen in a viral video threatening a motorcycle rider during an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally. Tulfo stated that the officer should be reprimanded and undergo a retraining program, noting that the officer approached the rider instead of addressing the rallyists who had surrounded him. The incident, captured in a video from June 30, shows a rider trapped within the INC crowd. The rider's motorcycle key was taken from him, and he was heard expressing frustration, saying, "What is this fight for? Why is it like this? I am also a person here in the Philippines!" A voice, presumably a rallyist, retorted, "You are a person, but don't speak! Do you want to die?!" A police officer in athletic attire later approached the rider, attempting to de-escalate the situation by saying, "Don't be too much, kuya... don't be too much, because there are many here..." This handling of the situation has drawn criticism from social media users who felt the officer did not adequately address the danger posed by the rallyists. The INC rally was held in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing plunder charges for allegedly undeclared campaign donations totaling P75 million during his senatorial campaign. State prosecutors noted that this amount was not declared in his Statement of Liabilities, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) as of June 30, 2025, and the donor's tax was paid only in December 2025, which they argue indicates concealment. The INC claims the move against Marcoleta is linked to his past role as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, where he led probes into the flood control scandal. INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala stated that the campaign funds linked to the senator were allegedly not public funds and that the Commission on Elections does not consider receiving such donations a crime. "The Iglesia Ni Cristo supports what Senator Marcoleta advocates because that is also our position. We call for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace," Zabala previously said. "Therefore, we want to let the concerned parties know that even if they imprison Sen. Marcoleta, we will not stop asking for justice for our countrymen who have been robbed. We want to inform them that selective justice is an injustice, and we will not remain silent in the face of this enormous violation of justice that our countrymen are asking for." The Ombudsman has denied claims of politicking, stating it is a genuine effort to combat corruption in the country. The incident highlights the importance of balancing law enforcement actions with the rights of rally participants and the safety of the general public, particularly concerning the disruption caused by large-scale protests to public commutes and daily life.