Over 1.5M INC members join peace rally at Quirino Grandstand

More than one million Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members have gathered so far at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila on Monday for a peace rally organized by the religious group.

 As of 10 a.m., the Manila Police District (MPD) said at least 1.5 million INC members coming from nearby provinces of Cavite, Quezon, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales arrived in Manila for the National Rally of Peace.

"Sa ngayon po, maayos na maayos ang latag namin ng security at makikita po natin sa kasalukuyan na nagkakaroon sila ng programa dito sa Quirino Grandstand," said Police Colonel Emil Tumibay, MPD Deputy Director for Operations.

(The security situation remains peaceful and right now, the INC is holding a program.)

"As of 10 a.m., mayroon tayong estimate na 1.5 million na kababayan natin. Patuloy pa itong tumataas dahil may mga dumadating pa na kababayan natin," Tumibay said.

(As pf 10 a.m., the crowd is estimated to have reached 1.5 million. It is still increasing.)

Preparations for the religious gathering have started over the weekend, with police and K-9 units deployed in the area. Portable toilets were also installed and were set up at the venue.

Marcos stance against impeachment

Early this month, the INC had announced that it would hold a peace rally to support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance against Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment.

Duterte is currently facing three impeachment complaints, all linked to the misuse of public funds. She has denied the allegations.

"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.

Earlier in the day, Malacañang expressed hope that the “National Rally for Peace” of Iglesia Ni Cristo would bring clarity to the issues that the country faces at present.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that to peaceably assemble is a “bedrock right,” which is guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution, cherished by the people, and consistently upheld by the Marcos administration.

“We view today’s assemblies as part of the national conversation we should be having as a people to bring clarity and consensus on issues that face us all and affect our future,” he said.

Call for unity, peace

INC members who were at Quirino Grandstand on Monday morning appealed for unity and peace amid the political rift in the country.

Vanessa Abela and Suzete Sibulo from Lucena, Quezon said they joined the rally with hopes that the country will find unity once more under the leadership of Marcos and Duterte.

“Nagkakagulo talaga. ‘Yung mga tao sa Kongreso, sa Senado, magulo sila. Gusto nilang paguluhin ang bansa,” Sibulo told GMA News Online.

(It’s chaotic now. The people in the Congress and Senate want to bring mess in the country.)  

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Ivan and Benedick from Bulacan believe that a “civil war” may happen if Duterte gets impeached.

“’Yung dalawang leader natin hindi nagkakasundo, kaya siguro po ayun ‘yung nagiging reason kaya nagkakagulo ang bansa natin,” Benedick said.

(Our top two leaders have a conflict. Maybe that’s the reason why the country is in disarray.)

The teenager also had a call for the President, saying, “Sana po hindi… ‘Wag niyang payagan na ma-impeach si Sara para hindi masyadong magkagulo ang bansa natin.”

(I hope he doesn’t allow Vice President Sara to get impeached so that there will be no disorder in the country.)

Ivan also underscored the importance of unity.

“Panawagan lang po namin nawa’y sana magkaisa tayong lahat para lalong pumayapa ang buong Pilipinas,” he said.

(We’re appealing to everyone to be united so that there will be more peace in the Philippines.)

Emma Flores, a 66-year-old woman from Valenzuela, arrived at Quirino Grandstand at 4:30 a.m. She said she also wants peace in the country.

“[Nandito kami] para sa pagkakaisa, sa pinaglalaban namin… ‘yung rally for peace, [na] magkaisa. Siyempre ayaw natin na magulo,” she said.

(We’re here to call for unity during our rally for peace. We don’t want chaos.)

Roy, who is on a wheelchair, went to Manila from Paniqui, Tarlac with his relatives and fellow INC members to also back the call of Marcos against impeachment moves against Duterte

“Nandito kami para po peace…Ayaw namin ng impeachment. Sinusuportahan namin ‘yung desisyon ng Pangulong Bongbong,” he said.

(We’re here for peace. We don’t want impeachment. We support the decision of President Bongbong.)

Three impeachment complaints have been filed so far against Duterte, which were all endorsed to the House of Representatives.

The nationwide rally will be held simultaneously in 13 sites nationwide, with about 1 million people expected to participate. The program will start from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Philippine National Police has vowed to protect the rights of the participants and at the same time, maintain the peace and order in all the scheduled activities for the day.

Malacañang earlier announced the suspension of government work and classes in all levels in Pasay and Makati in view of the peace rally. The Senate likewise suspended work due to the program. Some local government units have suspended work and classes on January 13.   

Meanwhile, thousands of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police personnel will be deployed for the gathering of the religious group. — RSJ/KG, GMA Integrated News