NEARLY 370,000 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) attended the National Peace Rally at San Pedro Square, Davao City, on January 13, 2025.
According to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), attendance peaked by 5 p.m.
Participants began arriving as early as 2 a.m., with the event officially starting at 8 a.m. and concluding with a prayer at 5:30 p.m.
The DCPO deployed approximately 4,847 security personnel for the event, including 2,204 officers from the DCPO, 2,472 from other security agencies, and 112 force multipliers.
PCol. Hansel Marantan, city director of DCPO, confirmed in a media interview the peaceful nature of the rally, stating that despite the large crowd, there were no incidents due to the law-abiding behavior of the participants.
He added that despite the election ban, their office had no difficulties managing the event, as the INC members effectively policed themselves.
"So the impression is, obviously it is a very successful activity referring to the peace rally of which all of us is concerned," he said.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte thanked Ka Eduardo Manalo and the INC for organizing the event, emphasizing that it was a crucial rally for the nation, especially amid current challenges.
Duterte called for unity, stating, “This is what our country needs in these critical times. Not impeachment. Not a waste of government resources. Not self-serving schemes. Not divisive action. We must unite. We must move forward as one. We must serve our people.”
He also thanked the attendees for their commitment to the country's welfare.
He also thanked the people who attended and said that their participation in the rally showed that they care for the welfare of the country.
He urged the public to demand what Filipinos rightfully deserve and to stand firm in supporting the country’s leadership.
Meanwhile, about 2,000 Duterte’s supporters gathered for the "Walk for Peace" at Freedom Park, also in Davao City. They marched along Roxas Avenue toward C. Bangoy Street to join the INC members at San Pedro Square.
Tristan Digan, lead convenor of the Protect VP Sara Movement, shared that the rally, which included participants from Sto. Tomas, Basilan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Tagum, were a show of support for Vice President Sara Duterte.
Digan underscored the importance of defending Duterte, noting her significant voter base.
“Mas padaghanon pa nato ni atoang grupo para ma-proteksiyonan nato ang atoang vice president kay siya gibuto sa 32 million na mga tao, mas dako pa gani siya ug buto kaysa sa atoang presidente (We should increase the number of our group to better protect our vice president, as she was elected by 32 million people, which is even more votes than our president received),” he said.
Digan mentioned that their movement began on December 8, 2024, with a motorcade, followed by the event on this day. He expressed hopes of organizing another, larger gathering to support Duterte. Additionally, he stated that they will convene every Sunday to oppose Duterte's impeachment.
The Davao City Council had approved temporary road closures for the peace rally. Starting on January 11, roads such as San Pedro Street, C.M. Recto Avenue, and C. Bangoy Street were closed for the event’s preparation, with a full closure on January 13. The City Government of Davao also suspended face-to-face classes and implemented a skeleton workforce in government offices for the event.
Duterte faces three impeachment complaints, including one filed on December 19, 2024, related to alleged misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as Secretary of Education. RGP
