Malacañang on Wednesday appealed to the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) to remain vigilant against groups that may exploit its ongoing protest activities to destabilize the government.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities are taking seriously reports circulating on social media about alleged plans to storm government institutions, including Malacañan Palace in Manila, although officials have yet to verify the information.
She, however, stressed that the Palace does not believe the INC is behind any destabilization efforts against the Marcos administration.
“Hindi namin paniniwalaan na miyembro ng INC ang siyang gagawa nito dahil sabi nga natin, ginagalang natin ang integridad, ang liderato ng INC. Hindi naman siguro ang purpose ng kanilang protesta ay mag-destabilize (We do not believe that INC members will be behind this because, as we’ve said, we respect the integrity and leadership of the INC. Surely, the purpose of their protest is not to destabilize the government),” Castro said during a press briefing.
“Kaya nga po sa ngayon ang pakiusap po natin sa liderato ng INC, maging maingat din po sila at baka sila ay magamit ng ibang mga tao na ang naisin ay patalsikin ang Pangulo dahil alam natin ang INC ay hindi iyan ang hinihimok sa taumbayan (That is why, at this time, our appeal to the leadership of INC is to exercise caution, as they may be exploited by others whose objective is to oust the President. As we know, that is not what the INC encourages among the public),” she added.
Castro acknowledged that some groups have long sought to remove President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. from office. She, however, said the government is prepared to thwart any attempt to oust the President.
“Ito po’y nakarating na at kung ito man ay isang tsismis, isang pananakot, hindi naman po ito isasabale-wala lamang ng mga awtoridad natin (This information has already reached us, and whether it is merely a rumor or an act of intimidation, authorities will not simply dismiss it),” she said.
Castro also emphasized that the Palace respects the INC’s objective of promoting transparency and accountability, as the religious group expresses support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
INC members gathered along EDSA on Tuesday following the Office of the Ombudsman’s recommendation to file a plunder complaint against Marcoleta over his alleged failure to declare PHP75 million in campaign donations.
Castro said the President shares the goal of strengthening transparency and accountability in government.
She assured the public that the administration would continue to respect the right to peaceful assembly, provided protesters comply with the law and refrain from provoking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Huwag lamang po silang lalabag sa batas. At ang PNP po ang pinapairal ay maximum tolerance. So, huwag po sana nila rin i-provoke ang ating mga miyembro ng kapulisan (They must not violate the law. The PNP will be exercising maximum tolerance. So, we also hope they will not provoke our police officers),” Castro said. (PNA)