According to San Diego, rally organizers initially projected that as many as 100,000 participants could attend the demonstration, which is being held in connection with the planned filing of plunder charges against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
"We explained that with 100,000, I cannot ensure public order and safety, so it is better to segment it. We will address how many can attend today. It will be a logistical challenge for us because if they have many people, then we also need many personnel," he said.
San Diego said the permit, issued late on 30 June, came with conditions that organizers must strictly observe to avoid its revocation.
Among the requirements is that participants remain within White Plains Avenue and refrain from occupying the northbound lanes of EDSA.
He added that demonstrators gathered on the opposite side of EDSA were asked to transfer because the southbound lanes fall under the jurisdiction of Mandaluyong City.
Authorities also directed participants to remove vehicles parked along EDSA after they disrupted traffic between Ortigas and Cubao.
The permit allows the rally to run only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 1 July.
However, San Diego said the city is open to extending the permit, noting that organizers have indicated they intend to continue the rally until 3 July.
"Our requirement in the permit is only until later today. If it needs to be extended and we see that they can control their participants and are following the parameters, we can extend it upon request," he said.
According to the Quezon City Police District, the crowd peaked at 15,500 participants at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Aside from INC members, several political figures attended the rally, including Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano and Imee Marcos, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, and former congressman Mike Defensor.
In a Viber message to the DAILY TRIBUNE, Defensor said more personalities were expected to attend the gathering but declined to identify them.
"No info yet, but supposedly many will come," he said.
