INC to move protest to Manila after QC gov't revokes rally permit for July 2
Iglesia ni Cristo will move its protest to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila after the Quezon City government revoked the rally permit for the third day of protests along EDSA.
INC members announced on Wednesday evening that they will move to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to continue the protest on July 2.
Unlike EDSA, no permit is required to hold public assemblies at places like Liwasang Bonifacio, which is officially designated as a freedom park under the Public Assembly Act of 1985.
Earlier that same day, the city had initially granted the INC permission to continue their protest on Thursday. However, Elmo San Diego, head of QC’s Department of Public Order and Safety, later said that the rally permit issued has been revoked and is valid only until the end of the day.
"Ipinapabatid ng Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety na hanggang ngayong araw na lamang ang permit na inilabas sa Iglesia ni Cristo para sa kanilang rally sa EDSA," QC DPOS said in a statement, as obtained by The Philippine STAR.
"Bahagi ng tungkulin ng lokal na pamahalaan ang pangalagaan ang interes ng publiko. At base sa nakalap na mga report, matinding abala na ang idinulot ng protesta sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan. Libu-libo ang nahuli sa eskwela o trabaho, o sadyang hindi na nakapasok at naperwisyo ang negosyo. Nilabag din nila ang kasunduan na manatili lamang sa White Plains at hindi okupahin ang EDSA," it added.
"Iginagalang natin ang kalayaan sa pagtitipon at pagpahayag ng damdamin, nguni't hindi ito maaaring makasagabal sa kapakanan ng nakararami," it concluded.
Thousands of INC members flocked to EDSA on June 30 to hold a surprise rally, which caused a whole day of traffic congestion.
Bro. Edwil Zabala, INC spokesperson, said in a statement that the rally is in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, as the Ombudsman announced on Monday that they will file plunder charges against the senator in connection with campaign donations he received during the 2025 elections.
The protests were also attended by Senators Marcoleta, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Imee Marcos, as well as Mike Defensor.
Despite the protests, Ombudsman Jesus "Crispin" Remulla said that they will push through with Marcoleta's plunder charge.
“Nothing has changed, we will file. Walang nagbago,” Remulla told the reporters on July 1.
“Freedom of speech nila yan pero it’s a wrong premise, there’s no selective justice when it comes to the Ombudsman,” he added.
Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said reports of alleged ouster plots against President Bongbong Marcos are being taken seriously, but said that they do not believe INC is behind them.
“Hindi namin paniniwalaan na miyembro ng INC ang siyang gagawa nito dahil sabi nga natin, ginagalang natin ang integridad, ang liderato ng INC. Hindi naman siguro ang purpose ng kanilang protesta ay mag-destabilize,” she said.
“Ang pakiusap po natin sa liderato ng INC, maging maingat din po sila at baka sila ay magamit ng ibang mga tao na ang naisin ay patalsikin ang Pangulo dahil alam natin ang INC ay hindi iyan ang hinihimok sa taumbayan,” she added.
