MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said intelligence reports indicating possible attempts by outside groups to infiltrate the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led rally and provoke unrest remain the government’s primary security concern, even as he expressed confidence the religious group’s gathering would remain peaceful.
Before departing for his official visit to Canada, Marcos said authorities were closely monitoring the situation, stressing that ensuring the safety of all participants and the public remained the government’s top priority.
The President pointed to the INC’s long history of conducting large-scale rallies without major disturbances.
“Ako, malakas ang loob ko kasi sa buong kasaysayan ng Iglesia, pag nag-rally, kahit napakarami, hindi sila nanggugulo,” Marcos said.
He said law enforcement agencies were instead focused on information that outsiders could infiltrate the gathering to create trouble.
“Ang problema lang namin is that merong impormasyon na siyempre merong mga mag-i-infiltrate, mag-agitate. ‘Yun ang inaalala namin,” he said.
“Ang pinakaimportante sa amin, walang masaktan. Either taga-Iglesia o kung sino man na mapunta roon na mangulo,” he added.
Marcos thanked rally organizers, police authorities, and participants for helping maintain peace and order during the demonstration.
“So let’s just keep everything stable and peaceful. And so far it has been. So I thank everybody involved for keeping it safe for everybody,” he said.
The President also brushed aside accusations aired during the rally that his administration was practicing selective justice.
Responding to claims that the government was prosecuting political opponents while shielding its allies, Marcos said, “That’s their opinion. (But) I believe they’re wrong.”
Thousands of INC members converged along portions of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) beginning Tuesday to express support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta and protest what organizers described as selective justice and political persecution.
The demonstration followed the Office of the Ombudsman’s announcement that it would file charges against Marcoleta over alleged irregularities involving P75 million in campaign contributions that were reportedly omitted from his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Marcoleta has denied the allegations, insisting the case stemmed from his efforts to expose alleged anomalies in government flood control projects.
Malacañang has repeatedly denied claims of selective justice, maintaining that criminal complaints are pursued solely on the basis of evidence and independently acted upon by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Thousands of police officers were deployed across Metro Manila to secure the rally venue and manage traffic along major thoroughfares./PN
