Palace warns INC rally should not lead to destabilization moves

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday said it would not stop members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) from staging rallies, but warned that their gatherings should not lead to destabilization efforts.

The reminder came as the religious group considered extending its demonstrations until July 3, in support of embattled Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

READ: Palace: Marcos respects right to assembly but won’t tolerate abuse

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“All we ask is that… we will not stop them; so long as they do not violate the law, and they do not serve and become a path for destabilization,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro at a briefing.

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Castro also addressed rumors circulating online about a possible attempt by protesters to storm Malacañang, Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame.

“Our authorities will not just ignore this. But the question is: Who will attack? Who among the protesters?” Castro asked.

She added, “We don’t believe that an INC member would do this because, as we said, we respect the integrity, the leadership of the INC. The purpose of their protest is probably not to destabilize.”

She also warned the religious group against being used by other individuals who are pursuing their own political agenda.

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“They should also be careful, and they might be used by other people who want to oust the president, because we know that the INC will not be the one to encourage the people,” Castro said.

“But it has been a long time since someone wanted to oust the president from office. So this is not new. So the government is ready for that,” she noted.

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“Again, the president and the administration are not taking away rights – the right to speak, the right to express their sentiments, and the right to assemble. They just should just not go beyond that, and they should not violate the law,” she speficied.

At a briefing on Tuesday, the day of the “surprise” permit-less rally of the INC, Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. respects the sect’s right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

But she also mentioned that the chief executive does not tolerate the “abuse” of these freedoms. /apl

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