INC protest shifts after EDSA permit revoked

Thousands of supporters of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) religious group staged a major protest in Quezon City, Philippines, on Tuesday, June 30, blocking a key section of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and causing severe traffic disruptions. The demonstration was held to express support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a member of the church, who faces an impending plunder charge from the Office of the Ombudsman related to alleged undeclared campaign donations from the 2025 elections.

Protesters began gathering before dawn near the People Power Monument, with organizers using buses to occupy lanes. The National Capital Region Police Office deployed approximately 6,500 personnel. Authorities reported a brief scuffle around 8:30 a.m. when a bus driver blocked northbound lanes, leading to five arrests and an injury to a police officer. Police officials stated they observed a policy of maximum tolerance, noting the gathering lacked a permit for Tuesday.

The protest continued on Wednesday, July 1, under a permit issued by the Quezon City government, though crowd estimates dropped sharply from an initial peak of around 14,000 to roughly 4,000 to 5,000 participants. Later that day,...