POLICE and local government units are all geared up for the projected three-day rally being organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) views this event with caution, despite being downplayed by political analysts.
PNP chief Lt. Gen.Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reaffirmed the force’s full respect for the projected three-day religious rally set Nov. 16 to 18. He said the police are committed to ensuring that the event proceeds in a “peaceful, orderly, and safe manner.”
More than 15,000 policemen are set to be deployed strategically across various key locations in the Philippines to ensure security and order during the rallies.
These areas included prominent sites such as the Senate of the Philippines, the House of Representatives, Malacanang, the Quirino Grandstand, Liwasang Bonifacio, the EDSA Shrine, and the People Power Monument.
Political analysts Ronald Llamas, who was a political affairs adviser to former President Benigno Aquino III, downplayed the events’ importance, questioning the credibility of individuals and groups endorsing and supporting the protest actions.
He stressed that supporters of plunderers and extrajudicial killing (EJK) perpetrators lack the integrity to call for accountability.
“It’s simple, the endorsers and supporters of looters and EJK killers do not have the integrity to rally against corruption, even for a week).
He urged the public to critically evaluate the motives behind such endorsements and emphasized the need for genuine reform.
Llamas believes that true accountability can only emerge from those who have consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to justice.
The INC earlier said the rallies seek to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
In Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the local government ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes in all public and private educational institutions from November 17 to 18, 2023. This decision has been made to accommodate the scheduled INC rally.
During this two-day suspension, school administrators are encouraged to adopt Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) to ensure that educational activities continue despite the lack of in-person instruction.
