The alleged plan to raid the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) compound in Quezon City and the anticipated filing of plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta triggered the pre-dawn rally at the People Power Monument along EDSA, a source told the DAILY TRIBUNE.

According to the source, the supposed operation was intended to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who was allegedly hiding inside the compound.

The organizer behind what participants described as a “D-Day” occupation of the EDSA Shrine said preparations for the mass action were finalized three days ago, with contingents from different parts of the country expected to arrive in Metro Manila by Tuesday night.

“Some of the participants came all the way from Palawan, Mindanao, and other parts of the country,” the source said.

The source added that delegates had been booked in hotels and boarding houses for one week and remained on standby as of Tuesday.

Earlier, the INC declared its support for Marcoleta and said his impending arrest would not stop its mass actions calling for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace, particularly over what it described as efforts to cover up the flood control controversy.

INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala, in a statement, said that even if the government succeeds in filing a plunder case against Marcoleta and detaining him, the group will continue its mass actions.

“Kahit ipakulong pa nila si Sen. Marcoleta, hindi kami titigil,” Zabala said.

A source told the DAILY TRIBUNE that similar rallies would be held simultaneously across the country.

“The surprise rallies will simultaneously be held all over the country,” the source said.

The source added that the planned nationwide mass actions were a preemptive response to Ombudsman Dionesio Remulla III's announcement that plunder charges against Marcoleta would be filed within the week.

“Wala nang uwian, tuloy-tuloy ang rallies,” the source said.

Marcoleta earlier issued a statement accusing the Ombudsman of allegedly orchestrating a cover-up of the flood control controversy.

“The Ombudsman is determined to bend the law,” he said.