5K cops to secure Iglesia peace rally in Luneta – PNP

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THE PNP has deployed 5,000 policemen to the Quirino Grandstand in the city of Manila to ensure peace and order during today’s peace rally to be held by the religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

The INC’s “National Rally for Peace” will also be simultaneously held in 12 other venues in the country.

In its Facebook posts, the religious group said its members will also assemble at the Ilagan Sports Complex in Isabela, Sawangan Park in Albay, Plaza Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro City, Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur, Rizal Park in Davao City, and Cebu South Road Properties in Cebu City.

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Prayer rallies will also be hosted at the Don Pedro Vicente Park in Puerto Princesa City, Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City, Pagadian City proper in Zamboanga del Sur, Iloilo New Freedom Grandstand in Iloilo City, Butuan City Sports Complex in Butuan City, and Ormoc City stage in Ormoc City.

According to reports, rally participants are expected to start trooping to the venues as early as 8 a.m. today.

The program, however, will formally begin at 4 p.m. and is estimated to end by 6 p.m.

The INC leadership announced its plan to hold a prayer rally last December to express their strong opposition to moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Ang mga kapatid sa Iglesia ay naghahanda na magsagawa ng rally upang ipahayag sa lahat ng kinauukulan na ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay pabor sa opinion ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na hindi sumang-ayon sa isinusulong ng ilang sektor na impeachment (Our Iglesia brothers and sisters will hold a rally to express our support to President Bongbong Marcos’ position opposing the impeachment moves [against Vice President Duterte],” the INC said in an earlier statement.

Maj. Myrna Diploma, spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said the deployed police officers will be involved in crowd control, anti-criminality operations, and traffic enforcement.

“The NCRPO is ready for the security coverage to ensure the National Rally for Peace on Monday at the Quirino Grandstand will be peaceful and orderly,” Diploma said in a radio interview on Sunday.

“Five thousand NCRPO personnel will be deployed to provide security in the area… ensure there will be no untoward incidents and casualty,” she said, adding that the NCRPO is expecting at least one million people to attend the rally.

The NCRPO has not monitored any serious threat to the rally, Diploma said as she vowed that the police will remain vigilant for any eventuality.

“As of now, we have not monitored any security threat, but the NCRPO will remain on alert and will be ready for any possible threat,” she said.

Diploma said the NCRPO will collaborate with other government agencies, including the local government of Manila City, in ensuring peace and order during the event.

Diploma said the PNP deployment may start early morning today in time for the afternoon rally, noting that INC members may start converging at the grandstand as early as Sunday night.

Diploma said the PNP’s concern is more on possible traffic congestion near the rally area.

She appealed to the public to avoid traveling to the area if possible. “If you have nothing important things to do in that part of Manila, do not go there (on Monday). Reschedule (engagements) if they can be rescheduled,” she said.

“Traffic is going to be a big concern for us during the event,” she also said, adding that traffic rerouting and road closures will be implemented.

ROAD CLOSURES

The Public Information Office (PIO) of the Manila city government said several roads will be closed as early as 4 a.m. due to the INC peace rally.

Roads to be closed are Katigbak Drive and South Drive, Independence Road, the northbound and southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Drive to U.N. Avenue, northbound and southbound lanes of Bonifacio Drive from Katigbak Drive to Anda Circle, P. Burgos Avenue from Victoria St. to Roxas Boulevard., Ma. Orosa St. from P. Burgos Avenue to U.N. Avenue, Finance Road from P. Burgos Avenue to Taft Avenue, Gen. Luna Roundtable, and Kalaw Avenue from Taft Avenue to Roxas Boulevard. 

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The PIO advised motorists to take alternative routes in Manila to reach their destinations.

It said vehicles coming from the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard, A. Mabini St. and Ma. Orosa St., intending to utilize Kalaw Avenue can turn right to U.N. Avenue to their point of destination.

All trucks and trailers traveling the northbound lane of Osmeña Highway going to Mel Lopez Boulevard (Pier area) can turn right to Quirino Avenue to Mabini Bridge to the point of destination.

Vehicles coming from Ayala Boulevard that will pass by Finance Road straight to P. Burgos Avenue can turn left to Taft Avenue, while vehicles coming from the Jones, Mac Arthur and Quezon bridges bound to Roxas Boulevard can take Lagusnilad then straight to Taft Avenue.

Cars coming from Sta. Lucia St. bound to Muralla St. do not need to pass through Gen. Luna Roundtable and instead can go straight to Muralla St.

On the other hand, vehicles coming from Mel Lopez Boulevard intending to pass through Bonifacio Drive can instead pass by the Anda Circle then turn right to Soriano Avenue.

The PIO also said that all trailer trucks/heavy vehicles coming from Mel Lopez Boulevard (R-10) going to Roxas Boulevard can turn left to Capulong St., straight to Yuseco St., and then Lacson Ave. to their points of destination.

NO CAMPAIGN SITE

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) called on candidates and other politicians to refrain from appearing or attending the INC peace rally to advance their candidacies.

In a radio interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said: “We urge them (candidates and politicians) not to use a deeply religious activity of our countrymen for their own interests.”

He said the Iglesia activity deserves to be given the respect it deserves.

“Such events should be respected, and we know that politicians and candidates, who show respect are more blessed,” he said.

‘CALCULATED MOVE’

Rep. France Castro (PL, ACT) slammed the INC rally, saying it is “a clear attempt to shield Vice President Sara Duterte from accountability over corruption allegations.”

“This rally is not about peace and unity. It’s a calculated move to protect Vice President Duterte from answering serious allegations about her misuse of confidential funds and her accountability for the deteriorating quality of education in our country,” said Castro, an endorser of the impeachment complaint against the Vice President filed by the group led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

The Makabayan bloc lawmaker said the rally’s timing coincides with growing public demand for accountability, citing the recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that 41 percent of Filipinos support Duterte’s impeachment.

“The Filipino people deserve answers about the unexplained use of confidential funds. As a former education secretary, VP Duterte must also answer for the alarming decline in our students’ performance in international assessments for math, English, and science during her watch,” Castro said.

Castro reminded the INC leadership that “genuine peace and unity cannot be achieved by blocking legitimate calls for accountability,” stressing that no rally can “erase the truth that government officials should be held accountable for what they did.”

“Ang milyong Pilipinong sumusuporta sa impeachment ay humihingi ng hustisya at pananagutan, hindi political theatrics. Walang tunay na kapayapaan kung walang hustisya (The millions of Filipinos supporting the impeachment are asking for justice and accountability, not political theatrics. There will be no genuine peace without justice),” she said.

Rep. Jude Acidre (PL, Tingog) said the SWS survey, which also showed that 61 percent of the respondents support the House quad committee’s hearings on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, is proof that “one thing is crystal clear: the so-called Duterte myth has been shattered.”

“Add to that the consistent drop in VP Duterte’s trust ratings, and it’s obvious that the people are fed up. They’re tired of the same old Duterte-style politics – a culture of impunity, bullying tactics, and decisions that prioritize power over public service,” he said. “This isn’t just about one person or one family. It’s about a shift in our collective consciousness as a nation. Filipinos want a new kind of politics – one that’s built on fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.”

Acidre said the people “are demanding accountability and transparency, and they’re looking for leaders who will serve with integrity, compassion, and a clear vision for the future – not leaders who thrive on impunity and entitlement.”

“The surveys prove it: the days of impunity and political theatrics are numbered. It’s time for leaders to listen to the people and embrace a governance style that puts the public’s welfare front and center,” he said.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga said the survey also underscores the importance of strong democratic institutions.

“It clearly shows that Filipinos are against a leadership that does not explain controversies and are seeking leaders who adhere to ethical standards in governance,” he said.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon said the survey reflects “a strong public desire for adherence to ethical governance.” “This sends a clear message: Filipinos demand leaders who are accountable and transparent in their actions.”

“Dapat nang ipaliwanag ni VP Sara ang kontrobersyal na isyu tungkol kay ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ at ang kahina-hinalang paggastos ng P612 milyon sa confidential funds. Hindi na maaaring balewalain ang mga ito (VP Sara has to explain the issue about ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ and the questionable use of P612 million confidential funds. She cannot brush it aside anymore),” he said.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said congressmen should heed the growing call against the impeachment of the Vice President as shown by the INC peace rally.

He said the INC enjoys the right to freedom and expression to support the President’s position that impeaching Duterte would be a waste of Congress’ time and would “not make a difference to even one single Filipino life.”

Dela Rosa said it is now up to the members of the House of Representatives how they will take the positions against impeaching the Vice President.

“Depende ‘yan kung paano nilang tanggapin ‘yung pinapalabas na expression of support ng Iglesia ni Cristo. Kung babalewalain nila, then ituloy talaga nila. Talagang ipipilit nila ‘yan na ituloy. Pero kung sila’y makikinig na parami nang parami ‘yung ayaw magkaroon ng impeachment (laban kay VP Sara), then they should heed the voice of the people (It depends on how they [congressmen] will take the expression of support of the Iglesia ni Cristo. If they disregard it, then they will proceed, they will insist on proceeding with the impeachment. But, if they will listen to the growing opposition against the impeachment [moves against VP Sara], then they should heed to the voice of the people),” Dela Rosa said in an interview with radio dwIZ on Saturday.

Contrary to the interpretation of the SWS survey by critics of the Vice President, Dela Rosa said the poll results indicate that majority of the people are against the impeachment moves.

“Still hindi pa rin majority, di ba? We are in a democratic country eh kung gusto talaga ninyong sundan ang boses ng mayorya, hindi pa rin karapat-dapat na ituloy yan kasi, granting na talagang properly conducted yung survey na yan, eh lumabas na 41 percent, so mayorya pa rin talaga na ayaw ituloy ang impeachment na yan (That’s not the majority. We are in a democratic country, and if they really want to listen to the voice of the majority, the impeachment should not push through. Granting that the survey was properly conducted, that 41 percent of the respondents are in favor [of the impeachment], but the majority still does not want the impeachment to go on),” he added.

Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino said the INC peace rally is a “timely and vital reminder of the need for unity dialogue and harmony amidst the challenges our nation faces.”

“The Rally for Peace reflects the shared desire of the Filipinos for understanding and cooperation, transcending divisions for the common good. I commend the Iglesia ni Cristo for leading this effort and inspiring us all to work together for a more peaceful and united Philippines,” Tolentino said in a statement. – With Wendell Vigilia and Raymond Africa

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