INC rally protesters vow to stay in Manila 'as long as it takes'

MANILA, Philippines – Protesters at the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led rally in Manila are prepared to camp at Liwasang Bonifacio and stay there “for as long as it takes,” Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste said on Thursday, signaling that the demonstration could continue beyond the weekend.

Leviste joined protesters who traveled from Batangas to the rally, saying demonstrators intend to stay until their demands are met.

“This won’t end in the next few days. Because, of course, our demands here cannot be achieved immediately,” Leviste told reporters in a mix of English and Filipino.

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The lawmaker said more protesters from different provinces are expected to arrive in the coming days.

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“It would be good for the government to show that it stands for true justice and accountability,” he said.

The dayslong mobilization came after the Office of the Ombudsman announced it would file nonbailable plunder charges against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, an active member of the religious sect.

The INC-led rally began on Tuesday near the People Power Monument in Quezon City before relocating to Liwasang Bonifacio after the Quezon City government revoked the group’s rally permit, citing traffic gridlock and public order concerns.

The Manila city government, meanwhile, reiterated that Liwasang Bonifacio is a designated freedom park where public assemblies may be held without a permit.

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Most of the rallyists arrived on Wednesday and spent the night at the plaza, where volunteers distributed food and water as protesters prepared for an extended stay.

The Manila Police District estimated the crowd at about 2,800 as of 4 p.m. Thursday.

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READ: Manila gov’t: Liwasang Bonifacio is freedom park, no permit needed

Aside from Leviste, no other prominent political figures were seen at the rally during the morning and afternoon program.

Some participants wore matching shirts bearing the slogan, “Transparency for a better democracy,” while a few attended the program barefoot. Others rested under tents and makeshift shelters set up around the plaza.

Food provided

Ally Ismael, a 46-year-old INC member, has been handing out free food packs and bottled water since early Thursday morning.

“We really need to do this. This is for the people. We are fighting for our rights, especially against our corrupt government. This is necessary for the welfare of the entire Philippines,” Ismael told the Inquirer in Filipino.

He said food is available to everyone, including non-INC members, adding that volunteers were instructed to continue distributing meals until at least Sunday.

Not all there for Marcoleta

Some protesters, however, said they were not attending the rally primarily to support Marcoleta.

Ronald Gadayan, a janitor who carried a handwritten placard calling for honesty and patriotism in government, said he is not an INC member but decided to join the gathering because of his frustration over corruption.

“I am here because I want honest and patriotic leaders,” Gadayan told the Inquirer in Filipino.

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He said he believes many politicians are corrupt, although he singled out former Vice President Leni Robredo, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and Leviste as public officials he considers honest. With a report from Marc Andrei Esguerra, intern /jpv