Malacañang has advised the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) to be cautious and not allow themselves to be used by those seeking to oust President Marcos.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the warning following reports circulating on social media warning about an alleged possible attempt by protesters to storm Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Crame, and even Malacañang.

This, amid the ongoing protest staged by INC along EDSA in Quezon City.

"Kaya nga po sa ngayon ang pakiusap po natin sa liderato ng INC, maging maingat din po sila at baka sila ay magamit ng ibang mga tao na ang naisin ay patalsikin ang Pangulo dahil alam natin ang INC ay hindi iyan ang hinihimok sa taumbayan (That is why, at this point, our appeal to the leadership of the INC is to remain cautious and ensure they are not used by others whose objective is to oust the President, because we know that this is not what the INC is encouraging among the public)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, July 1.

Castro further said that there have long been people seeking to remove the President from office, stressing "this is nothing new" and that the government is prepared for such situations.

Although the reports remain unconfirmed, the authorities will not dismiss it, Castro said.

"Ito po’y nakarating na at kung ito man ay isang tsismis, isang pananakot, hindi naman po ito isasabale-wala lamang ng mga awtoridad natin (This information has already reached us, and even if it turns out to be nothing more than a rumor or an attempt to intimidate, our authorities will not simply dismiss it)," she said.

The Palace spokesperson, however, questioned who exactly would carry out the alleged assault, saying they "do not want to believe" that such action would happen, considering that the purpose of the INC in staging the protest, which started as a surprise on Tuesday morning, was not to oust the President.

"Sino sa mga nagpuprotesta? Hindi naman po siguro at ayokong paniwalaan, ayaw naming paniwalaan na ang miyembro ng INC ‘no, hindi namin paniniwalaan na miyembro ng INC ang siyang gagawa nito dahil sabi nga natin, ginagalang natin ang integridad, ang liderato ng INC. Hindi naman siguro ang purpose ng kanilang protesta ay mag-destabilize (Which of the protesters? We certainly do not believe and we do not want to believe that members of the INC would be the ones to do such a thing. As we've said, we respect the integrity and leadership of the INC. We do not believe that the purpose of their protest is to destabilize the government)," Castro said.

The Palace official explained that Marcos will proceed with his official visit to Canada on Wednesday evening despite the ongoing protest because he believes that the INC protest was held to promote transparent and accountability, and not to destabilize the administration.

"Naniniwala po kasi, muli, naniniwala po ang Pangulo sa liderato ng INC na sila ay nagkaroon ng rally o sinasabing protesta para itaguyod ang transparency, accountability (The President believes in the leadership of the INC. He believes that they held the rally, or what they describe as a protest, to promote transparency and accountability)," Castro said.

"Hindi po iyan isasabale-wala ng Pangulo dahil iyan din po ang nais ng Pangulo kaya nga po siya nagpapaimbestiga dahil kaniya pong pinapaigting ang transparency at accountability (The President will not disregard those objectives because these are also what he seeks to uphold. That is precisely why he has ordered investigations—to strengthen transparency and accountability)," Castro added.

As for Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Castro said "the President cannot comment on that matter because it is a separate issue."

She added that the case or complaint filed against him is not under the Executive's authority and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman.

The Palace official further explained that the Chief Executive's official travel to Canada has been scheduled for quite some time now and he has to also carry out his duty.

She said the rumors of intensified protest will not prevent Marcos from performing his functions.

"Hindi po kasi siya puwedeng pahintuin lamang ng mga bulung-bulungan na mayroong lulusob sa Malacañang, na mayroong gagawa ng destabilization. Hindi po magpapahinto ang Pangulo sa kaniyang pagtatrabaho para sa taumbayan pero iginagalang natin ang liderato ng INC at hindi tayo naniniwala na sila ang magiging nasa likod ng destabilization (The President will not allow such rumors to stop him from working for the people. At the same time, we respect the leadership of the INC, and we do not believe that they would be behind any destabilization efforts)," Castro said.

If the INC rally would extend until July 3, Castro said they must follow the rules.

The Palace mouthpiece reiterated that the President does not suppress people's rights to speak, express their sentiments, and to assemble.

"Huwag lamang po silang lalagpas at huwag lamang po silang lalabag sa batas (We only ask that they do not go beyond the bounds of the law or violate it)," she said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been directed to exercise maximum tolerance and asked the protesters to not provoke the police officers.