The second day of the anti-corruption rally staged by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) at the People Power Monument in Quezon City remained peaceful, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Wednesday.
“It’s generally peaceful, there’s no untoward incident at White Plains-PMM (area),” NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said in an interview at around 4 p.m.
The rally turned tense on Tuesday morning after a confrontation broke out between protesters and policemen. Police later reported four additional injured policemen, bringing the total number of wounded officers to seven.
The number of arrested protesters also rose from three to four on Wednesday. Police said the suspects were released for further investigation.
Despite the confrontation, Asilo said authorities still considered the first day of the rally as generally peaceful.
NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said Wednesday’s rally was more orderly compared to Tuesday, when “anything goes, the protesters can do whatever they want.”
“The situation now is very different (compared to last Tuesday) because there were rules with the issuance of a (rally) permit,” Aberin said.
The first day of the rally on Tuesday did not have a permit from the Quezon City government. The INC secured a permit from the local government on Tuesday afternoon to hold a rally on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“This time around, they (INC) have a leader on standby who we can approach if they are Iglesia ni Cristo members who are not following (the rules),” Aberin said.
“We are happy to note that they are fully cooperating,” PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said, adding that there were no illegally parked vehicles in the area, especially along EDSA.
“The traffic is free-flowing along Edsa,” Co added.
Asked what the PNP would do if protesters made seditious statements, Co said: “Again, that will be speculating. We will talk about it when we go there.
However, he later said, “If we (see people) inciting someone or other people to rebel, they will definitely be charged.”
As of 3 p.m., Asilo said the number of protesters at the People Power Monument was placed at 5,000, down from the peak of 15,500 on Tuesday night.
She said the number of policemen deployed near the rally site was reduced to around 1,800 as of Wednesday afternoon, from around 2,100 on Tuesday afternoon.
Asilo said protesters were still holding a program as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Asked if protesters had given an assurance that they would disperse on or before 8 p.m. Wednesday, Asilo said: “There is still no confirmation if they will end the rally or there will be an extension beyond 8 p.m.”
Elmo San Diego, chief of the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety, said the INC had requested a one-day extension of its rally permit.
San Diego said DPOS officials were meeting with INC officials on Wednesday.
“We’re still doing the assessment,” San Diego said.
“If they can comply with our requirements, there is no reason for us not to extend. But if there are violations, it can be denied,” San Diego said, adding that the INC’s rally on Wednesday is “peaceful.”
“Assuming it will be approved, they will have a permit for tomorrow. If they want it extended, they have to make another request,” San Diego also said.
Aberin also dismissed social media talk that the rally was part of an attempt to destabilize the Marcos administration.
“The rally is confined here (at the PPM vicinity). We are not seeing any destabilization (effort). They are confined to one area. That is my belief as far as the NCRPO is concerned,” Aberin said.
Social media posts claimed that INC members and supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte were going to attack Malacañang and Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday.
On heightened security around Malacañang, Aberin said the measure was a normal activity whenever large rallies are held.
“Whenever there are huge rallies like this, I always order the fortification of Malacanang because it’s the seat of government,” Aberin said.
“I don’t want anything bad to happen there. My priority is to secure Malacanang, of course,” he added.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the military’s declaration of Red Alert in Metro Manila was a “routine” act.
Teodoro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines was merely supporting the PNP in efforts to ensure peace and order.
“That’s normal and routinary thing,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro also said the defense and military establishment has not monitored anything serious in relation to the rally.