FILE PHOTO: At least a million members of the Iglesia ni Cristo march to Quirino Grandstand as it held its “National Rally for Peace” in January 2025. - PDI/ANN
MANILA: There are no destabilisation efforts in the three-day Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and United People’s Initiative (UPI) rallies, according to organisers.
“There is no rebellion or inciting to sedition here. There is also no plan of swift attack like a coup d’etat. There’s no such thing,” Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) official Jimmy Bondoc stressed in a chance interview ahead of the UPI rally on Sunday (Nov 16) at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
The PDP is the political party chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. previously said the military was verifying reports of an alleged destabilisation plot involving government and retired military officials tied to a destabilisation plot.
For his part, Bangon Sambayanan secretary and Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) host Jeffrey Celiz also denied that the three-day rallies were an attempt to overthrow the government.
“We don’t want a military junta. The people want something peaceful, constitutional, legal,” Celiz said in an interview with reporters on Sunday morning.
The SMNI host said his group was joining the UPI’s rally.
UPI convenor retired Gen. Romeo Poquiz welcomed the participation of Celiz’ group, saying in a statement on Sunday morning: “Though we may have varying views and calls, people and country are reasons worth setting aside our differences. We will continue to find that common ground.”
UPI is a group composed mainly of retired military and police officials.
Concerns over a destabilisation plot came as Poquiz was accused of attempting to overthrow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration over the flood control scandal.
Poquiz has since denied the allegations. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
