Building Trust Through Peace
Ahead of the three-day Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila from November 16 to 18, 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that full security operations were in place across Metro Manila. The rally called “for transparency, accountability, and justice” against corruption and issues surrounding the country’s flood control projects.
From initial planning to the first day of deployment, PNP, under the leadership of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting Chief, PNP, ensured that activities would proceed safely and orderly while fully respecting the public’s right to peaceful assembly.
Preparations began as early as November 5, immediately after organizers confirmed the scale of the event and the anticipated turnout. PNP coordinated closely with the Manila City Government, various local government units, religious leaders, and partner agencies. Deployment plans were gradually scaled up as more information about venues and crowd estimates became available.
By November 14, all Police Regional Offices nationwide were placed on full alert, along with National Support Units, including intelligence teams, traffic enforcers, medical responders, maritime patrols, emergency units, and quick-reaction forces.
Final preparations were reviewed on November 15 during a Command Conference led by Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG), Hon. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla. SILG expressed his full support for the PNP’s operational plans and emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to maintain maximum tolerance, transparency, and close inter-agency coordination. He also reiterated the importance of body-worn cameras and medical teams in ensuring accountability and providing immediate assistance.
The PNP Highway Patrol Group was also directed to ensure smooth traffic flow and to prepare tow trucks, quick-response teams, and emergency vehicles throughout the event.
PNP likewise addressed the spread of misinformation online, particularly false claims of an early crowd buildup in Mendiola. Ground verification confirmed that no such gathering occurred, prompting the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to take appropriate actions against those responsible for spreading misleading reports. PNP stressed that all official updates come strictly from verified ground information.
On November 16, the first day of the INC rally, SILG Remulla, PLtGen Nartatez, and Police Major General Anthony A. Aberin, Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office, conducted on-site inspections in key deployment areas, including CRB Mendiola, the Quirino Grandstand, MACC Base, Ermita Manila, and Manila Police District Station 5.
As of 5:00 PM, full deployment remained active across Metro Manila. At the Quirino Grandstand, approximately 1,500 police personnel were deployed, while 1,014 officers were stationed at the People Power Monument and 924 officers at the EDSA Shrine. Police visibility was also maintained at Ayala Bridge, Liwasang Bonifacio, and along major roads leading to government complexes.
The PNP Top Cop expressed confidence in his personnel, assuring the public that PNP is committed to safeguarding both people and peace, stating: “Our officers are here not just to enforce the law, but to serve and safeguard every individual. We are closely monitoring the situation, ready to act when needed, and committed to treating everyone with fairness, respect, and dignity.”
As of 9:00 AM on November 17, a total of 13,751 PNP personnel, supported by various government agencies, remained deployed in major locations including the Quirino Grandstand, People Power Monument, and EDSA Shrine, overseeing an estimated 550,000 participants. PNP continued to monitor traffic, assist participants, and respond immediately to incidents, while encouraging attendees to stay hydrated, secure their belongings, and be patient as crowds moved through major areas.
In a statement released on November 18, the police organization expressed its sincere appreciation to the hundreds of thousands of participants who helped keep the assemblies peaceful and orderly. Despite the significant turnout, the atmosphere remained calm and organized throughout the event. The discipline and cooperation of the attendees played a crucial role in maintaining a safe environment.
PLtGen Nartatez also praised the entire PNP ranks for their adherence to maximum tolerance and their tireless service, emphasizing that public cooperation and responsible policing represent the strongest form of shared responsibility. He further reminded all PNP personnel to remain vigilant and to continue respecting the rights of every individual, especially during large-scale gatherings.
INC Spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala also released a statement following the rally, underscoring the importance of the event in calling attention to government corruption. He reiterated the INC’s firm stance against actions that violate the Constitution. He explained that while INC had initially announced a three-day rally to call for transparency and accountability in flood control projects, extensive media coverage, both local and international, helped amplify their message even before the three-day schedule ended.
“We thank all those who made sure that the rally was peaceful, orderly, and disciplined, including those from the Philippine National Police, the national government, and the Manila City Government. We sincerely appreciate their sacrifices,” he said.
With the conclusion of the said rally, PNP is now preparing for the upcoming November 30 anti-corruption protests, which coincide with the birth anniversary of the National Hero, Andres Bonifacio. Another large turnout is expected as citizens call for accountability and reforms.
PNP aims to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the September 21 rally commemorating the 52nd anniversary of Martial Law. That protest, which began peacefully, eventually escalated into clashes along areas such as Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch, resulting in more than 200 arrests, including 90 minors.
Learning from the incident, PLtGen Nartatez stressed that PNP has revamped its deployment and crowd-control strategies, with improvements clearly reflected in the peaceful conduct of the INC rally.
A major shift in approach involves close coordination and strengthened cooperation with protest organizers. One of the main groups organizing the November 30 protests, who are also behind the Trillion Peso March, has already met with police officials to discuss measures to ensure a peaceful demonstration. Organizers view the upcoming event as an opportunity to push for anti-corruption reforms while honoring Andres Bonifacio’s legacy of freedom and justice.
The PNP’s revised approach aims to balance security responsibilities with respect for the people’s constitutional right to protest. Through improved crowd-control measures and open communication with the organizers, PNP hopes that the November 30 protest will also demonstrate a model of peaceful civic engagement, similar to the orderly INC rally.
The overarching goal is to ensure a meaningful and safe demonstration where Filipinos can express their views freely and without fear of violence or repression, reaffirming the nation’s collective commitment to justice, accountability, and peace.
