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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Program begins at INC rally in Manila amid surging crowd

Program begins at INC rally in Manila amid surging crowd

Published Jul 2, 2026 11:44 am  |  Updated Jul 2, 2026 05:46 pm
Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo continue to gather at Liwasang Bonifacio, with attendees arriving early to await the start of the peace rally program. (Photos by Diann Calucin)
Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo continue to gather at Liwasang Bonifacio, with attendees arriving early to await the start of the peace rally program. (Photos by Diann Calucin)
The program for the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) peace rally officially began in the vicinity of Liwasang Bonifacio in Ermita, Manila, on Thursday afternoon, with the Manila Police District (MPD) estimating around 3,570 attendees as of 5 p.m.
Earlier in the day, around 8,900 INC members had gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio as of 1 p.m., according to the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (MCDRRMO).
However, the MPD reported a lower estimate of 1,700 attendees at the same time.
Stages had been set up at 10 a.m. and readied for the afternoon rally, with some participants saying they arrived as early as 8 a.m. to avoid heavy traffic.
The event is expected to continue until Friday, July 3.
Marcy, a senior citizen from Payatas, Quezon City, was among the early arrivals at Liwasang Bonifacio.
She came with her husband, two daughters, and their families, reaching the venue around 7 a.m. to avoid heavy traffic.
The family said they had also joined the gathering along EDSA the previous day, but noted that the setup in Manila was more comfortable because of the shade provided by the trees and the food being distributed by the local government.
Participants continued to arrive as the afternoon program got underway.
Meanwhile, around 230 participants from the SAMBAT group remained in the vicinity of Liwasang Bonifacio while waiting for their transport vehicles for their return trip to Batangas, according to the MPD.
Outside Metro Manila, authorities also monitored one peace rally at Plaza Rizal in Valencia City, Bukidnon, with an estimated 1,000 participants.
Personnel from the MPD, the Manila city government, and other concerned agencies remained deployed across the venue to maintain peace and order, ensure public safety, and manage pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The Manila city government earlier placed the capital under Red Alert status to ensure the readiness of emergency response teams and other government personnel during the event.
Authorities said they continue to closely monitor the situation as the program proceeds.
As of posting, no untoward incidents had been reported.

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