• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 35,000 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) from its ecclesiastical districts in Negros Island participated in the national peace rally in Bacolod City on Monday (Jan. 13), according to the police.
INC members called for unity and peace amid the country’s political divisions by displaying placards with messages such as “The INC is for Unity,” “Political fights is not Productive” and “Peace for the Philippines”.
The arrival of INC members from various towns and cities of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental in the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park in Bacolod City started as early as Sunday night.
They traveled by passenger buses and private vehicles.
The Bacolod City government implemented temporary road closures from Cottage Road fronting the Social Security System building to 15th Street, a portion of 6th street, and the North and South Capitol Roads to accommodate the huge crowd.
The Philippine National Police reported that the rally in Bacolod City was generally peaceful.
In a statement, the INC reiterated that they support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stand against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“There are many more things which our citizens need that must be attended to. These will not be achieved if all we see taking place is conflict, ” the INC said.
There are three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte in the House of Representatives.
The Vice President thanked the INC for organizing a national peace rally, tagging it as a “powerful display of unity and faith.”
In a video message during the event itself, Duterte praised the INC for their desire for unity and peace as they held gatherings across the country.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin hoped that the National Rally for Peace of the INC would help clarify issues and contribute to real unity.
In a statement, Bersamin said a peaceful assembly is a “bedrock right guaranteed by our Constitution” that the current administration consistently upholds. | GB
