FACT CHECK: No clash between protesters, police in Liwasang Bonifacio rally

Claim: A video shows a massive crowd of protesters clashing with police at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

Rating: FALSE 

Why we fact-checked this: The video, posted on July 3, has already received 5,600 views, 155 comments, and 82 shares as of writing. 

A similar video posted on July 2, which has 187,000 views, 8,900 reactions, 3,100 comments, and 1,800 shares, has since been deleted.

Both videos show a mass protest at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. A narrator says, “Sitwasyon kanina sa naganap na people power rally sa Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila. Nagkagulo ang raliyista at kapulisan sa gitna ng rally. Ang tanong, sang-ayon ka ba sa ipinaglalaban ng mga raliyista? Oo o hindi?” 

(Here is the situation from the People Power rally held earlier at Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila. A confrontation broke out between the protesters and the police during the rally. The question is: do you agree with the protesters’ cause? Yes or no?)

The facts: Artificial intelligence detection tool Hive Moderation flagged the video as 99.9% likely to be AI-generated and 99% likely to have AI-generated speech. AI image detection tool Sight Engine also flagged a screenshot from the video as 99% likely to be AI-generated. 

The video was posted on July 2, the third day of the unannounced rally held by Iglesia ni Cristo. Contrary to what was depicted in the AI-generated video, there was no reported confrontation between INC rallyists and police authorities at Liwasang Bonifacio. 

In a statement, the Philippine National Police said, “While minor incidents were recorded during the first day of the activity and were promptly addressed in accordance with existing laws and established operational procedures, the second and third days of the public assembly were generally peaceful and orderly.” 

Videos from news outlets ANC 24/7, Inquirer.net, and Rappler also show that there was no confrontation between authorities and the protesters. 

INC rally: INC members held a surprise rally on June 30 to oppose the arrest of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who surrendered on July 6 following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him. 

Marcoleta is currently facing a plunder case involving P75-million campaign donations he received when he was still congressman.

The June 30 rally gathered over 15,000 protesters, resulting in heavy traffic, temporary closure of White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, and suspension of classes. The protest continued for two more days, with the third day held at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

The INC has long been conducting rallies in support of certain politicians. In January 2025, they also held a nationwide rally for peace to oppose the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

Previous fact checks: Rappler has previously fact-checked similar false claims about rallies: 

• FACT CHECK: Marcos did not flee to Canada amid INC protest 
• FACT CHECK: Iglesia ni Cristo EDSA rally drew thousands, not millions, of participants 
• FACT CHECK: No paid protesters in May 13 rally vs VP Sara, Dela Rosa – ex-DOF official 
• FACT CHECK: Video of Peñafrancia procession misrepresented as rally in Metro Manila

– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com 

Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

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