Malacañang said it will not prevent, stop, or cut short the extended protest actions along EDSA led by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), provided the gathering remains lawful and is not used for destabilization efforts.
Palace Press Officer Clare Castro said in a briefing on Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. respects the people’s rights, including those of INC members and officials, to speak, assemble, and express their sentiments.
Castro also said Marcos does not believe the INC would be involved in destabilization moves or plots against the government.
“Ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon ay hindi kumikitil sa karapatan – karapatang makapagsalita, karapatang magpahayag ng kanilang mga sentimyento at karapatang magpulong. Huwag lamang po silang lalagpas at huwag lamang po silang lalabag sa batas,” she said.
“Iginagalang natin ang liderato ng INC at hindi tayo naniniwala na sila ang magiging nasa likod ng destabilization,” she added
The INC was reportedly planning to extend its rally along EDSA until July 3. It was earlier granted permission to hold the protest on July 1.
Castro said police would continue to observe maximum tolerance in dealing with the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, Castro said the administration is aware of rumors that some groups of protesters were allegedly planning to storm Camp Crame, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, and Malacañang in Manila.
She said authorities would not ignore the reports, whether they were merely rumors or actual threats.
“Kung ito man ay isang tsismis, isang pananakot, hindi naman po ito isasabale-wala lamang ng mga awtoridad natin. Pero ang tanong: Sino ba iyong lulusob? Sino sa mga nagpo-protesta?,” she said.
“Ayokong paniwalaan, ayaw naming paniwalaan na ang miyembro ng INC, ‘no, hindi namin paniniwalaan na miyembro ng INC ang siyang gagawa nito dahil sabi nga natin, ginagalang natin ang integridad, ang liderato ng INC. Hindi naman siguro ang purpose ng kanilang protesta ay mag-destabilize,” she added.