THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said around 1.8 million members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) participated in nationwide peace rallies.
The PNP reported that approximately 1.5 to 1.6 million participants gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila alone.
Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, stated that the rallies remained peaceful, with no untoward incidents reported.
This was corroborated by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, who also confirmed the orderly and peaceful nature of the event.
The INC’s “National Rally for Peace,” which began at 8 a.m., took place at the Quirino Grandstand and various other locations across the country, including:
Sports Complex in Ilagan City
Provincial Capitol in Palawan
Sawangan Park in Legazpi City
Freedom Grandstand in Bacolod City
Ormoc City Plaza in Leyte
South Road Properties (SRP) Grounds in Cebu City
Pagadian City Proper in Zamboanga del Sur
Plaza Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro City
San Pedro Square in Davao City
Butuan Sports Complex in Agusan del Norte
To ensure the safety and security of the event, up to 8,000 PNP personnel were deployed. Government work and classes were suspended in Manila and Pasay, and the Senate also suspended its sessions. Several local government units followed suit, suspending work and classes for the day.
Malacañang expressed optimism that the rally would contribute to a clearer understanding of the nation’s current challenges.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and the administration’s commitment to upholding this right. He viewed the rallies as a vital part of the national dialogue, aiming to foster clarity and consensus on critical issues affecting the country’s future.
