Situation at EDSA People Power Monument as of 7 a.m., with INC rallygoers preparing for the second day of their gathering. (Photo courtesy of the Quezon City Police District)
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally continued in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 1, as authorities implemented traffic adjustments along EDSA-White Plains following an agreement between organizers and police.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) initially estimated around 4,000 rallygoers at the site as of 4 a.m., with the crowd remaining at the same level as of 5 a.m.
A bus at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Avenue was cleared at 8:25 a.m. following the agreement, authorities said.
Three northbound lanes of EDSA were reopened to motorists, easing traffic flow.QCPD Public Information Office chief Police Major Jeniffer Gannaban said the measure was part of the rally permit conditions aimed at reducing congestion and inconvenience to commuters.
The second day of the activity officially started at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 8 p.m., according to the situation report.
As the activity progressed, crowd estimates continued to increase, with around 3,000 rallygoers recorded at the site as of 8 a.m., reaching about 3,500 by 10:30 a.m.
The number of participants later climbed to around 4,000 by 11:45 a.m. before reaching an estimated 4,500 at 1:45 p.m., as attendees continued gathering along the rally area.
The crowd estimate later rose to around 6,000 participants as of 3:45 p.m., while 2,500 police personnel and other agencies remained deployed at the People Power Monument to support security operations, according to the QCPD.
By 6:30 p.m., the number of participants reached an estimated 9,000 at the rally site.
The Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC-DPOS) later confirmed that the permit for the third day of the INC rally was revoked following complaints received from residents, according to QC-DPOS Head Ret. Gen. Elmo San Diego.
The program temporarily ended at around 8 p.m., with participants observed leaving the area.
Organizers later announced that the activity would continue the following day at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.
The gathering, which began on Tuesday, June 30, was organized in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta amid issues involving alleged irregularities in government funds.
Some participants stayed overnight at the rally site, while others remained in their vehicles and used tents and mats while waiting for the second day of the activity.
The QCPD said the second day of the rally concluded peacefully and orderly, with no untoward incidents recorded during the event.
Authorities continued monitoring traffic and security operations in the area.
The Quezon City government previously allowed the rally to proceed along White Plains Avenue from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., under conditions requiring organizers to keep roads passable and maintain public order.