INC Rally Participants Urged to Cooperate with Authorities

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged members of the religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) to cooperate with authorities during their protest on EDSA. In a statement on Tuesday, the DILG said it directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to exercise maximum tolerance and implement appropriate security and traffic management measures to ensure the INC's activity remains peaceful. “The DILG calls on all participants and stakeholders to exercise their rights responsibly, uphold the rule of law, and cooperate with authorities throughout the activity. The Department remains committed to protecting public safety while upholding the constitutional freedoms of every Filipino,” the DILG’s statement read. The INC rally is in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who may face plunder charges over his campaign donations during the 2025 elections. On June 29, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said a plunder complaint may be filed against Marcoleta this week. INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala clarified that the religious group is not opposed to the implementation of the law but to the “bending of the law.” “Nanawagan kami para sa transparency, accountability, justice and peace. Kaya nais naming iparinig sa mga kinauukulan na kahit ipakulong nila si Senator Marcoleta ay hindi kami titigil sa paghingi ng katarungan para sa mga kababayan natin na ninakawan,” Zabala said. (We call for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace. That is why we want to make those in authority hear that even if they imprison Senator Marcoleta, we will not stop demanding justice for our fellow citizens who were robbed.) In a message to Philstar.com, National Capital Region Police Office chief Anthony Aberin said the group had no permit to rally. According to media reports, several protesters were arrested after allegedly punching police officers. Verbal altercations between protesters and police officers were also reported. Iglesia ni Cristo protesters also briefly blocked the EDSA Busway with a bus along the northbound lane near White Plains during Tuesday's rally, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The MMDA also activated its Emergency Operations Center to speed up coordination and response. The protest also caused heavy traffic along EDSA.