Malacañang cautioned Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) leaders on Wednesday, July 1, to guard against being exploited by groups aiming to unseat President Marcos, as unverified reports spread online about a supposed plan to overrun Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Crame, and Malacañang.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro delivered the appeal during a briefing, telling reporters: “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.”
The warning came as INC members continued a demonstration along EDSA in Quezon City, an action that began unexpectedly on Tuesday morning.
Castro said attempts to remove sitting presidents are not a recent phenomenon, describing the situation as familiar territory for which the government has prepared. She noted that authorities would treat the circulating reports seriously even if they prove baseless. “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,” she said.
She expressed doubt, however, that anyone among the demonstrators would move against government installations, saying the Palace respects the integrity of INC leadership and does not view the protest as a destabilization effort. “Sino sa mga nagpuprotesta? Hindi naman po siguro at ayokong paniwalaan, ayaw naming paniwalaan na ang miyembro ng INC ‘no, 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,” Castro said.
On the demonstration’s possible extension through July 3, Castro said participants would be expected to stay within legal limits, adding that the President does not curtail the public’s right to voice grievances or gather. “Huwag lamang po silang lalagpas at huwag lamang po silang lalabag sa batas,” she said.
Regarding Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Castro said the President could not weigh in, as the complaint against the lawmaker rests with the Ombudsman rather than the Executive branch.
Marcos will keep his official evening visit to Canada as scheduled, Castro said, explaining that the trip was arranged well in advance and that the President reads the INC action as a call for transparency and accountability aligned with his own push for investigations. “Naniniwala po kasi, muli, naniniwala po ang Pangulo sa liderato ng INC na sila ay nagkaroon ng rally o sinasabing protesta para itaguyod ang transparency, accountability,” she said.
The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, has been instructed to observe maximum tolerance, with authorities urging demonstrators not to provoke officers on the ground.
