INC yet to secure permit to continue Edsa rally

MANILA -- The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is still unable to secure a permit from the local government of Mandaluyong City that will allow its members to continue their protest against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima beyond Sunday.

“If the INC isn’t granted an extension and refuses to leave Edsa, we will continue negotiations for a peaceful dispersal,” said Eastern Police District head Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias.

Earlier, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said they will apply for permit extension so as to allow more INC members to join the protest, especially on Monday, which was declared a holiday in celebration of the National Heroes Day.

After holding a vigil outside the DOJ in Manila last Thursday, INC members took their protest to Edsa-Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong on Friday night to condemn the alleged special attention de Lima has given to the serious illegal detention complaint filed by expelled minister Isaias Samson Jr. against ranking INC officials.

The protesters asked de Lima not to interfere in the internal affairs of the religious group.

The EPD pegged the crowd at around 4,000 people as of 4:15 p.m. Sunday, adding there are “sufficient” number of cops deployed to maintain peace and order.

Meanwhile, the INC asked for understanding from the public for traffic jams caused by the ongoing protest.

"Doon po sa mga commuters, humihingi po kami ng dispensa. Alam po namin ang pakiramdam ng nata-traffic, natatagalan sa paglalakbay. Alam po namin ‘yon. Ayaw po naming mangyari ‘yon sana," Zabala said.

"Sana po, unawain na lang po ninyo, hindi kami permanenteng titira rito," he added.

Zabala said INC members would not have resorted to street protest if de Lima was fair in handling the issue.

“Gusto namin iparating sa mga kinauukulan, tigilan nila ang panggugulo sa amin...hindi namin sila ginugulo. Kung pwede lang, huwag nila kaming guluhin,” he said.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines asked the faithful to pray for early resolution of the dispute between the INC and DOJ.

“Pray without for a peaceful and just resolution of the present dispute, in a manner both pleasing to God and in conformity with the democratic convictions enunciated in our Constitution,” said CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

“If we turn to the Lord in sincere prayer, then, we are firm in the faith that all wounds shall be healed."

Villegas reminded Catholics not to fuel the issue through rumor-mongering and inflammatory statements.

Politicians should also not take advantage of the situation.

“No to opportunism. No politician should gain political ground by abetting dissension or, worse, fostering disregard of the Constitution and the law. Neither is it morally correct for any political party to aim at gaining an advantage by controlling a religious sect known to propose to its members a chosen set of candidates,” he said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II earlier came out with statements respecting the INC's right to express their grievances.

Except for Poe, Binay and Roxas had already declared their intention to seek the presidency in next year's polls. (FP/Sunnex)

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