'Iharang ang ating katawan': Alan Cayetano urges Filipinos to 'stand in the way' of injustice amid INC rally
By Dhel Nazario
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday, June 30, urged Filipinos to join peaceful protests against what he described as "injustice," saying the public should be prepared to "put our bodies in the way" following the announcement that the Office of the Ombudsman would file a plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ends his Facebook live with a prayer (Senate PRIB photo)
Cayetano stated this during a Facebook Live broadcast as thousands of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered near the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City. Cayetano urged the public to participate "in your way," whether through prayer, online posts, or joining demonstrations.
"If what you can do is pray, then pray. If what you can do is pray but also post on your Facebook, on your Instagram, sa kahit anong social media (in any social media platform)...imulat ang ating mga kababayan sa nangyayari sa ating bansa (enlighten the public with what's happening in the country)," he said.
He also encouraged supporters who could not join the rally in Metro Manila to organize smaller gatherings in their own communities and share them on social media.
Cayetano said that public action was necessary to show the government that people opposed what he described as the misuse of legal processes.
He claimed authorities were sending a chilling message by allegedly using non-bailable charges against political figures and warned that the Senate was gradually "losing members who will serve" because of such actions.
He also rejected calls to simply let the courts handle the matter, saying institutions weaken when laws are allegedly "twisted" and the legal system is used unjustly.
Addressing law enforcement authorities, Cayetano appealed for "maximum tolerance" and respect for peaceful assemblies, emphasizing that protesters were only asking that the Constitution be followed. Cayetano also responded to critics that they're obstructing justice, stating that they're obstructing injustice.
"Pag injustice na po, kailangan iharang na natin ang ating mga katawan," he said.
Marcoleta claimed the plunder case set to be filed against him was intended to keep him from participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.