The politically influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) ended its peace rally at Liwasang Bonfacio in Manila, which it transferred after holding this two days in Quezon City.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala made the announcement on the Philippine Star Facebook page Thursday night. No details were given

The city government of Manila had suspended classes at all levels on Thursday, after the INC decided to move their rally to Manila from the People's Power Monument in EDSA.

The suspension of classes was announced by Mayor Francisco Domagoso in his Facebook post early Thursday.

As of 6 pm, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department Office, around 8,900 INC followers have assembled at Liwasang Bonifacio.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said in an ambush interview before leaving for an official visit to Canada at 7:40 pm Wednesday that he believes the rally will be peaceful.

But he said he did not believe the INC's stand of selective justice in the case of Senator Rodante Marcoleta facing a plunder charge before the Ombudsman. ''I believe they are wrong.'' said Marcos.

The INC held a sudden rally on Tuesday without a permit from Quezon City Hall to support Marcoleta after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he will sign a resolution charging him of plunder over a P75 million campaign donation in 2025 which he did not declare in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Remulla said things have not changed and he will sign the resolution which will be given to the Sandiganbayan. His spokesperson did not say when Remulla will sign this.

"In light of the expected transfer of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest to Liwasang Bonifacio in the City of Manila, I am announcing the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, today, Thursday, 2 July 2026," he said.

City Administrator Eduardo Quintos XIV said "Liwasang Bonifacio is a government-designated Freedom Park. As such, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) does not need to secure a permit to assemble peacefully in the area."

As Domagoso welcomed the religious group in Manila, the head of the city also asked for their cooperation to keep the orderliness and cleanliness in the city.

"The City Government of Manila recognizes everyone's right to freedom of expression here in the City of Manila, especially if it is exercised in the Freedom Parks. In our own little way, we are trying to provide support and keep things in order," he said.

"To my brothers and sisters in the Iglesia ni Cristo, we desire peace for everyone, and we warmly welcome you there at Liwasang Bonifacio. As the government, we respectfully ask, just as you have done before whenever you hold large-scale activities in the city, that we all help keep everything orderly and clean, which I do believe that you will do," he added.

Other groups including fishermen, tricycle drivers, students and local workers from Batangas also joined the rally in Manila.

In an interview with reporters, Brig. Gen. Arnold Santiago, Manila Police District Director said all the gates of Malacanang are sealed since the first day that the INC launched their protest activity in EDSA on Tuesday.

"We have had enough policemen deployed surrounding the Malacañang since day one," he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that there is no security threat monitored in the ongoing rally of the Iglesia ni Cristo even as they maintained the Red Alert Status.

"We did not monitor any security threats during the rally. The alert status is our standard measure to keep our personnel and assets on standby for deployment when needed by civil authorities, in accordance with existing laws," Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs chief said on Thursday.

The AFP has placed its units in the National Capital Region on red alert to ensure heightened operational readiness when the INC launched its emergency rally in front of People's Power Monument in EDSA and in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila on Tuesday.

Trinidad noted that the AFP is continuously coordinating with "the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies to promote public safety, security, and the uninterrupted delivery of essential services". Robina Asido/PHS