Thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members gathered without a permit along EDSA at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 30, in a surprise rally backing Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who faces a non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan, triggering road closures, heavy traffic, and the arrest of several protesters following a confrontation with police.
Crowd Swells to 10,000 Along EDSA by Midmorning
The Quezon City Police District estimated roughly 7,000 people at the rally site by 6:45 a.m. The figure climbed to approximately 9,000 by 9 a.m. By 10 a.m., the Philippine National Police (PNP) put the crowd along White Plains Avenue at around 10,000, with nearly 1,000 more gathered at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas and at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.
Authorities Caught Off Guard at Midnight
Authorities said the rally had no permit and no prior coordination with local officials. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said police received intelligence about the planned action only around midnight and began deploying personnel as early as 3 a.m., but were outpaced by the crowd that began arriving around 4 a.m.
"Around 12 midnight, we received information about it, and we immediately prepared for deployment. We were able to deploy personnel as early as 3 a.m.; however, a large number of them arrived quickly and their numbers were overwhelming," Aberin said in Filipino.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes confirmed the rally caught local officials by surprise. "Sa amin po sa MMDA, wala pong pasabi, walang coordination," he said, adding that even the Quezon City police were unaware of the gathering beforehand. The PNP initially deployed about 900 officers, a number that grew to nearly 6,000 NCRPO personnel positioned along EDSA through the morning. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. monitored the operation, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government directed police to observe maximum tolerance.
INC Cites "Selective Justice" Against Marcoleta
INC confirmed the protest was held in support of Marcoleta, whom it identified as a church member. Spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala said in a Net 25 livestream that the church was demanding "transparency, accountability, justice, and peace," and assailed what it described as "selective justice."
"The Iglesia ni Cristo supports what Senator Marcoleta stands for because it is also our position. We call for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace," Zabala said in Filipino.
Zabala further argued that the plunder case would effectively silence Marcoleta's efforts to expose alleged anomalies, saying he could not post bail and would be detained throughout the duration of the trial. The church also cited a Commission on Elections ruling that found no violation in Marcoleta's acceptance of the campaign donations at issue.
P75-Million Plunder Case Filed Before the Sandiganbayan
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday, June 29, that his office would file a non-bailable plunder case against Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan, in connection with P75 million in campaign donations. Former lawmaker Mike Defensor and donors Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu were named as co-accused.
State prosecutors said the donations exceeded the P50-million threshold for plunder under Republic Act No. 7080 and were not reflected in Marcoleta's statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). Marcoleta has denied wrongdoing, maintaining the donations were private funds already spent for election purposes before his SALN was filed.
On Tuesday, Marcoleta alleged the case was timed to prevent his participation in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, set to begin July 6. "Another thing they are hoping for is that I will no longer be able to participate in the impeachment proceedings scheduled to begin next week. In other words, they are hitting two birds with one stone," he said.
Buses Blocked EDSA Busway; Several Protesters Arrested
Tensions escalated around 8:30 a.m. after protesters moved buses to block the northbound lanes of EDSA, including the EDSA Carousel busway. Several individuals were arrested, with some allegedly punching police officers during the confrontation. An Inquirer journalist at the scene witnessed at least three arrests by 9 a.m. Authorities had not disclosed the total number of arrests or possible charges as of midday.
MMDA Closes Roads; MRT-3 and Busway Remain Open
The MMDA closed White Plains Avenue and several EDSA segments in Quezon City and Mandaluyong and began towing illegally parked vehicles to ease congestion. The Department of Transportation said EDSA Busway stations and MRT-3 remained operational despite the disruption.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cancelled at least two scheduled engagements — a marine litter management event and a luncheon with foreign correspondents — to monitor the situation. Malacañang said the President was tracking the welfare of commuters and workers stranded by the rally.
AFP Coordinates With PNP, Stresses Lawful Assembly
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said its NCR-based units were coordinating with the PNP and other agencies in monitoring the rally. AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement that the military respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly but stressed that public activities must follow existing laws and permit requirements, with the PNP taking the lead on public order. The AFP described itself as a "professional, non-partisan institution" committed to upholding peace, public safety, and the stability of democratic institutions.
By the Numbers
- 7,000 — Estimated crowd at People Power Monument by 6:45 a.m., per the Quezon City Police District
- 9,000 — Estimated crowd by 9 a.m.
- 10,000 — PNP estimate of protesters along White Plains Avenue by 10 a.m.
- ~1,000 — Additional protesters at EDSA Shrine in Ortigas and Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila
- ~6,000 — NCRPO personnel deployed along EDSA by midmorning
- P75 million — Campaign donations at the center of Marcoleta's plunder case
- P50 million — Threshold for plunder under Republic Act No. 7080
- July 6 — Start date of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial
Why This Matters
The unannounced mass action demonstrated the INC's capacity to rapidly mobilize tens of thousands of members in the capital, overwhelming police deployment and shutting down major thoroughfares with no advance warning to authorities. The rally intersects with two high-profile legal and political proceedings — a non-bailable plunder case filed by the Ombudsman and an upcoming Senate impeachment trial — that Marcoleta himself linked as coordinated efforts to sideline him. The arrests of protesters and allegations of assaults on police officers add a criminal dimension to what the church framed as a demonstration for justice and accountability.
Photo credit: Photo from NCRPO / PNP Public Information Office