The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) declared the first day of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally as generally peaceful.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government was fully prepared for the three-day rally, including measures against potential destabilizers.
Remulla personally visited several rally sites alongside Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major General Anthony Aberin.
He added that INC organizers fulfilled their commitment during prior meetings to ensure the protest remained peaceful.
The Interior Secretary also assured that the same level of security will be enforced throughout the second and final days of the INC rally.
Authorities noted that around 650,000 people attended the opening day of the rally at Quirino Grandstand.