Malacañang on Tuesday said it had not monitored any security threat from the separate protest actions in EDSA and Manila allegedly led by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), insisting that the rallies did not pose a threat to the Marcos administration.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. skipped scheduled engagements outside Malacañang on Tuesday to monitor the protest actions, which were allegedly held in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta amid the possibility of plunder charges and calls for accountability against corruption.
“Wala pong nakikitang threat dahil alam naman po ng Pangulo na ang kaniyang ginagawa ay para sa taumbayan (There is no visible threat because the President knows that what he is doing is for the people),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
“So, kung mayroon lang po sigurong mga ibang interes o interes ng ibang grupo, interes ng iilang tao, hindi po siya dapat na maging hadlang sa pagpapatupad ng Pangulo at ng administrasyong ito ng batas (So, if there are other interests, or only the interests of other groups, interests of a few people, it should not be an obstacle to the implementation of the law by the President and this administration),” she added.
Castro said Marcos decided to remain in the Palace to closely monitor developments, particularly as the protest actions caused inconvenience to motorists, commuters, workers, students, and even those needing emergency medical access.
Asked about heightened security measures around the Malacañang complex, including the closure of some gates to motorists and limited pedestrian access, Castro said these were precautionary steps meant to protect those inside the Palace.
She said such measures are part of standard security protocols during protest actions, regardless of crowd size.
“Para po mas maproteksyunan ang mga nandidito sa loob… at alam po natin na kapagka may ganitong mga klase ng rally ay ano naman po ito – kasama na po ito sa paghahanda (To better protect those who are here inside the complex… and we know that when there are these kinds of rallies, it’s what – this is part of the preparation),” Castro said.
Aside from the rally in EDSA, protesters also gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, an area near Malacañang.
Maximum Tolerance, Respect For Rights
Castro said Malacañang learned of the “surprise rally” early Tuesday morning, prompting the President to order authorities to respect the people’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
At the same time, she said Marcos directed law enforcement agencies to observe maximum tolerance while ensuring that laws are enforced.
Castro denied that there was an intelligence failure, saying officials were informed of the protest action early in the day.
She said the President recognizes the right to protest, but stressed that the government would not tolerate abuses or violations of the law, especially actions that disrupt public order or compromise the rights of others.
Castro said Malacañang was particularly concerned about the impact of the unannounced protest on the economy, businesses, commuters, students, workers, and emergency access.
“Nagkakaroon lamang tayo ng mga collateral damage, naaapektuhan iyong hindi naaapektuhan pero ito po ay makakaapektong malaki sa ekonomiya, sa bawat negosyo, sa bawat tao na kailangan pumasok sa kanilang eskwelahan, sa kanilang trabaho o pumunta nang mabilisan sa ospital (We are seeing collateral damage, affecting those who should not have been affected. This will have a major impact on the economy, on every business, on every person who needs to go to school, to their job or go to the hospital quickly),” she said.
She also said those behind the rallies may have had a hidden agenda in keeping the protest actions secret or unannounced, suggesting that the lack of prior notice may have been intended to maximize public disruption.
Asked if Marcos was open to dialogue with the INC, Castro said the government first wants to know the real goal of the rallies and whether the organizers have specific demands.