Crowd at INC protest swells as Day 2 of three-day rally opens
MANILA, Philippines — Iglesia Ni Cristo’s anti-corruption rally is seen to draw another large crowds on Monday, November 17, as the three-day protest entered its second day at the Quirino Grandstand.
As of 9 a.m., the Manila Public Information Office estimated around 150,000 individuals gathered at the venue for the group’s three-day protest.
By 10 a.m., Manila Police District spokesperson Maj. Philip Ines told Philstar.com that the crowd had increased to about 180,000.
Some INC members camped on the Grandstand grounds overnight following the first day of the rallies, according to media reports.
Unlike Sunday’s program, which began in the afternoon, organizers said Monday’s activities would start at 9 a.m. The event's first day drew an estimated half a million people, according to local police.
The rallies will run until Tuesday, Nov. 18.
On Sunday, the group maintained that the mass action was "not just about politics."
"This is our exercise of our right to freely express ourselves," Bienvenido Santiago Jr., the church's general evangelist, said, addressing the crowd. "The Church of Christ joins fellow citizens concerned about corruption and flood-control projects carried out by senior government officials. We stand united with Filipinos across the country and the world in calling for transparency, accountability and peace.”
The religious group, known for its bloc-voting influence, endorsed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in 2022. It also backed Sens. Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, who are allegedly linked to anomalies in flood-control projects.
In a move to distance themselves from calls for the resignation of President Marcos, however, Iglesia ni Cristo organizers prevented supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte carrying "Marcos Resign" banners from joining the first day of the gathering.
Classes in Manila were suspended for Monday and Tuesday, as the local government expects traffic disruptions due to Rizal Park activities.
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