No destabilization plot in Iglesia rally—source

There was no destabilization attempt during the four-day rally of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Manila and EDSA, which finally ended on Monday.

A source said the activity was an exercise of their right to peacefully assemble. INC members were just happy it turned out to be peaceful and orderly, the source said.

Despite the presence of certain personalities during the rally, the source said the personalities similarly had the right to express their ideas on issues facing the INC.

An informant who declined to be identified for not having been assigned by his organization to speak to media, said there was no semblance of destabilization or politicking during the rally.

“There is none, the INC is very vocal that they want a peaceful activity and that they will not go against the government. They have an advocacy. Whether you believe it or not, that is part of the democratic space protected by the Philippine Constitution,” the source said.

The military and the police monitored the rally from its first day on Thursday at the Department of Justice in Manila, until the rally changed venues to EDSA in Mandaluyong City.

The rally finally ended on Monday morning after the INC announced that it had reached an agreement with the government, ordering its thousands of members to go home.

As law enforcement bodies, the police and military’s role was focused on maintaining peace and order in the rally and preventing “opportunists” from taking advantage of it.

During the three-day gathering at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard, several personalities who were not members of the INC took part in the activity.

Over the weekend, personalities like Margarita “Tingting” Cojuancgo, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, former Moro Islamic Liberation Front spokesman Eid Kabalu, whistleblower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Council of Philippine Affair’s Pastor “Boy” Saycon and even lawyer Harry Roque made an appearance.

For the source, the presence of other personalities is not necessarily a cause for concern.

“They (personalities) have the right to express their ideas, that is enshrined in the Constitution. It’s not for us whether we agree or disagree, but that is their right,” the informant said.

Authorities also did not monitor any threats to the rally, although they were concerned about opportunists who might take advantage of the situation and cause violence.

Earlier, the police said it set up security control points precisely to keep out opportunists, criminals and unwanted personalities and make sure that only legitimate INC members and supporters were joining the activity.