Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) from across the country participated in the National Rally for Peace on Monday, January 13, 2025.
MINDANAO
In Davao City, the crowd estimate was placed at 230,000 as of 2 p.m.
Most of the attendees are from Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN regions.
They brought with them placards with words showing their opposition to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
Attendees also called for peace and unity, and urged the government to address the issues and problems the country is facing.
At least 10 roads in the city were closed temporarily and motorists were given alternate routes.
Face-to-face classes were also suspended and skeleton workforce arrangement in government offices was implemented.
In Northern Mindanao, light rains did not stop the more than 20,000 INC members from joining the rally at the Plaza Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro.
Aside from Cagayan de Oro, INC members from Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental also joined.
Authorities also set up medical and command center to respond to emergency situations.
“Ga-conduct og security and peace and order sa area of responsibility dinhi sa divisorial which is sa among monitoring wala paman insidente nga among na record. Then padayun gihapon ang atong pag-provide og security operations sa participants and other audiences,” Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Security Supervisor for Peace Rally, Major Mark Homer Ostan, said.
Phone signals were also jammed as part of the security measures while enough number of police officers were deployed to provide security and maintain peace and order.
“Pasalamat pud mi sa among police regional office 10 nga nag-provide through police BGen Jaysen De Guzman nagprovide siya og augmentation para kaning mga police station around Cagayan de Oro is dili malessen ang ilang capability nila to enforce security sa kanya-kanyang jurisdiction,” Ostan added.
In Pagadian City, more than 30,000 INC members also attended the rally on F.S. Pajares Avenue.
The activity was participated by INC members from Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, and Misamis Occidental.
In Butuan City, over 30,000 INC members also participated the rally at the Butuan City Sports Complex, as of 12 noon.
Attendees are from Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, and Surigao del Norte.
LUZON
INC members gathered at the Sawangan Park in Legazpi City, Albay to show solidarity in the rally.
Police said around 30,000 people from Bicol region are expected to attend the activity.
More than 500 police officers and personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) were also deployed to provide security.
VISAYAS
Meanwhile, around 45,000 people joined the rally in Cebu City.
Members of INC from Cebu City, Cebu Province, and Bohol Province, attended the rally.
They arrived evening on Sunday, January 12, 2025, and pitched tents to spend the night at the venue in South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City.
Rallyists carried streamers that call for peace symbolized as well by white flaglets.
It was learned from Atty. Jave Mike Aton, INC spokesman, that entertainment was provided in the morning before the organizer proceeded with the main program.
Aside from INC members, other groups that shared the same sentiment were welcomed at the venue.
According to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the crowd was estimated to have reached about 40,000 as early as 7 a.m.
Meanwhile, in Ormoc City in Eastern Visayas Region, the crowd was estimated at 15,000.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joemen Collado, deputy city director for operations of the Ormoc City Police Office, 14,000 members have come from places outside of the city.
As for Western Visayas, over 80,000 members from different areas joined the rally.
An estimated 15,000 INC members from different areas in Panay Island converged at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
It is an objective of the gathering to express support to the opinion of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. against the impeachment complaints hurled at Vice President Sara Duterte.
Several members brought placards calling on prioritizing the bigger problems of the country over political bickering.
“Yung problema ng bansa ay unahin natin para yung masolusyonan ang pangunahing problema ng bansa,” Eric Va-ay, an INC member, said.
Another member, Leonor Pareño, said that the rally is geared at upholding peace.
“Para lang po sa kapayapaan. Yun lang po,” Pareño said.
Earlier, certain city roads were closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Face-to-face classes were also suspended in all levels in Iloilo City.
According to a law professor, he is in favor of the call of the religious group. However, he said that the rally should veer away from any political motivation.
“Hindi naman talaga impeachment ang solusyon sa ating mga problema. Like right now, you would notice ang concern talaga ng ating mga kababayan ay inflation…Habang nagaganap ang peace rally, hopefully mapigilan din yung ibang entities na gustong gawing political rally ang ginagawa ng Iglesia ni Cristo,” Ramon Beleno III, a law professor, expressed.
In Bacolod City, the rally was held at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Lagoon where an estimated 70,000 participants from different parts of Negros Island gathered.
“We have had dalawang meetings prior today. Ang estimate as of 12 o’clock (noontime), 38,000 based from their drone shot,” according to Bacolod Traffic Authority Office Deputy Chief Jose Antonio Robello.
Juanita Villaro, a senior citizen, from Cauayan town, arrived ahead in Bacolod City at about 11 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
“Mas importante na makasama sa ating rally,” Villaro said.
A youth group from Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City said they advocate peace seen to illumine leaders that they will focus on a brighter future for the country.
“Para sa kapayapaan ng Pilipinas. Sana maging tahimik na ang Pilipinas para sa lahat,” Jovan, a member of the youth group, said.
(With reports from One Mindanao, One Western Visayas, One North Central Luzon, and Balitang Bisdak)
