QCPD: Sudden 'no-permit' INC rally left cops not fully prepared

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said on Tuesday that the sudden Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest prevented authorities from being fully prepared.

On the sidelines of the INC rally in front of the Edsa People Power Monument, QCPD spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo admitted to reporters that the police district was caught off guard by the sudden gathering.

“We were caught by surprise because we had no prior knowledge that they would hold a gathering of this scale, which is why we were unable to make the necessary preparations,” Asilo said in Filipino.

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“Since they did not have a permit, we had not made any preparations for their gathering,” she added.

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She explained the QCPD allowed the INC to continue their protest without a permit amid an order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, citing their right to organize.

Asked how the QCPD would respond to allegations of double standards, as other groups are strictly required to obtain a permit before gathering, Asilo said the INC rally would have been dispersed immediately if it had turned unruly.

“Our only agreement was that they would conduct themselves in an orderly manner. We had no issue with them assembling as long as peace and order were maintained,” she added.

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4 arrests, 3 injured

Asilo confirmed that there have been four arrests of protesters so far on Tuesday morning.

READ: Several arrested during INC rally on Edsa

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One was a bus driver who allegedly struck a police officer with his vehicle, another was a protester who allegedly punched an officer, while the remaining two were arrested for unruly behavior.

Three police officers were injured. Two were the officers who were allegedly struck by the bus and punched by a protester, while the third suffered from severe exhaustion.

Asilo said the QCPD is still verifying whether the four suspects were members of the INC.

The QCPD spokesperson also assured the public that the situation at the protest has since been “generally peaceful,” with no other major untoward incident recorded.

The INC held the sudden rally in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is set to be charged with a non-bailable case of plunder before the Sandiganbayan this week.

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An estimated 10,000 protesters have gathered along White Plains Avenue and the Edsa People Power Monument as of 10 a.m., according to the QCPD. /mcm