People flock to Quirino Grandstand for INC peace rally on Monday, Jan. 13

People have started arriving at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila amid the nationwide “peace rally” of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Monday, January 13.

In Katrina Son’s Sunday report on “24 Oras Weekend,” an INC member said engaging in tomorrow’s event shows their willingness to want peace in the country.

“Tungkol po sa impeachment ni Sara na wag nang matuloy kasi yung impeachment na yun, kung baga mas maraming problema yung lipunan natin ngayon. Huwag muna yun ang pagtuunan ng pansin,” another INC member said.

(This is about Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment. The Philippines has so many problems right now. Let us not focus on that issue in the meantime.)

The rally will start at 4 p.m. and is expected to end by 6 p.m.

It will be conducted in 13 various sites, with about 1 million people expected to participate.

The INC had announced that it would hold a peace rally to support President Ferdinand Marcos’ stance against Sara Duterte's impeachment.  

“There are many more things which our citizens need that must be attended to. These will not be achieved if all we see taking place is conflict. Perhaps our countrymen who also desire peace and want our leaders to take care of the needs of our nation will not contradict the opinion given by President Marcos Jr.,” INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said upon inquiry.

When asked if former president Rodrigo Duterte and the Vice President were invited to the peace rally, Zabala said everyone is welcome to attend their rally.

However, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) called on aspirants for the 2025 Midterm elections to refrain from campaigning during the event. 

Thousands of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police personnel will be deployed for the gathering of the religious group.

Meanwhile, some local government units have suspended work and class on January 13. 

As of 3 p.m., long lines of vehicles were observed from the Quirino Grandstand to the Anda Circle. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News