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

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. respects the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly but does not tolerate the “abuse” of these freedoms, Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

Early Tuesday, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered at the People Power Monument along Edsa in Quezon City and Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to express their support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is set to face a non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan this week.

READ: DILG calls for maximum tolerance, order at Edsa rally

“The president respects every person’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. However, the president does not condone any abuses committed under the guise of exercising these rights,” said Castro at a briefing when asked for Marcos’ reaction to the rally.

The Palace official lamented that the rally organizers, in pursuing their own agenda, chose to hold an activity that also affected people who were not involved in their cause.

“From the administration’s perspective, this will have an impact not only on the Palace but also on the public, who have been affected by this surprise rally. As we know, if a rally will make use of public roads, the organizers are required to secure a permit, and it should not be kept undisclosed so that the government can make the necessary preparations,” she said.

The rally, which coincided with the fourth year since he took his oath as the 17th president of the Philippines, produced “collateral damage,” Castro said.

“What we are seeing are collateral effects that impact people who would otherwise not have been affected. This has significant consequences for the economy, businesses, and individuals who need to get to school, report to work, or reach the hospital without delay,” said Castro.

When asked whether Marcos had issued any directive to disperse the gathering, Castro only said the government is “always ready” to assist those who may be affected by the gathering.

READ: PNP says INC Edsa rally crowd reaches over 12,000

As of 2 p.m., a total of 12,030 participants were seen at the rally at the People Power Monument, according to data from the Philippine National Police.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, said it has directed the police force to exercise maximum tolerance and implement appropriate security measures. /das