30,000 INC members to attend CDO peace rally

Cagayan de Oro City—At least 30,000 of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in Northern Mindanao arriving in 2,000 vehicles, are expected to converge in this city for their peace rally at the Divisoria Park on Monday, city police and officials announced Saturday.

Nonito Oclarit, head of the city Road and Traffic Administration (RTA), said the attendance figure was conveyed by INC leaders during a meeting with city police officials. INC revealed that 30,000 of their members from Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental will begin arriving on Sunday night.

Oclarit said the INC initially requested the closure of all roads, but it was eventually agreed that some roads would remain open during the mass gathering.

The 2,000 marked INC vehicles ferrying members will be parked at Rio de Oro Boulevard to prevent traffic congestion in the city.

The Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) will deploy Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and crowd dispersal units, which will be on standby for any eventuality.

Nick Jabagat, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said medical teams would also be deployed during the event.

INC city minister Arnulfo Jurado earlier assured that the mass gathering would be peaceful and orderly, noting that similar rallies will be carried out in key regions across the country.

A source told the DAILY TRIBUNE that the main rally will be held at the Quirino Grandstand, with delegations from the National Capital Region and Central Luzon. Similar rallies will be held in Davao City for Southern Mindanao, Butuan City for the Caraga Region, Cebu, Ormoc, Tacloban, Palawan, and the Ilocos Region.

The source added that rallies for peace will also be held in the United States and other parts of the world. Other groups advocating for peace are expected to conduct their own mass actions to highlight their calls.