Palace on Iglesia ni Cristo rally: Freedom requires responsibility

By AMANDA FERNANDEZ, GMA News

Published August 29, 2015 4:42pm

The Palace reminded the public Saturday that freedom of assembly and speech also come with responsibilities.

On Friday, members of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo held a rally on EDSA and caused a massive traffic jam. Mandaluyong City has granted them a permit to hold a rally until Sunday.

In an interview on government-run DZRB radio, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the public has the right to express their opinions against the government.

"[However], as the president views it, freedom requires responsibility," she said. "The president reminds us to bear in mind that the right of all citizens who have been, you know, also looking forward naman po doon sa long, quiet, and peaceful payday weekend po natin."

"Mahaba po iyong naging linggo, gusto hong magpahinga, so noong pinag-uusapan po namin ng pangulo ito kahapon, iyon din ho iyong nabanggit niya sa akin," she added.

The mass action began on Thursday in Manila, where thousands of Iglesia members spoke out against what they called Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's meddling in the group's internal affairs.

The DOJ is looking into charges filed by former Iglesia ni Cristo minister Isaias Samson Jr. against the religious group's officials for allegedly detaining and harassing him and his family — an accusation denied by Iglesia officials and members.

The protest moved to EDSA on Friday afternoon, with those who attended the protest in Manila marching to meet other members at the EDSA-Shaw intersection.

The crowd on EDSA, which was estimated at 2,500, had caused moderate to heavy traffic.

Iglesia official: Misinformation caused traffic

For his part, Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos, in a phone interview with GMA News Online, said he is in communication with Iglesia ni Cristo's Eraño "Erdz" Cordera.

Abalos quoted Cordera as blaming the misinformation among the INC members for the heavy traffic.

"He (Cordera) emphasized na baka may nagsa-sabotage sa kanila kasi nagkaroon ng misinformation, nagkalituhan, may mga nagte-text na pumunta sa Megamall, 'yung iba sa EDSA Shrine," he said.

"Dahil kalat-kalat sila kagabi, naisipan naming bigyan sila ng permit to contain them at the EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard kasi mayroon doong underpass, which they must not block," he added. "Natanggal naman ang congestion dito."

'EDSA will be passable'

Authorities meet on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, on the Iglesia ni Cristo rally at EDSA-Shaw.

Valte said the president has given Interior Secretary Mar Roxas instructions to coordinate with the Mandaluyong and Quezon City local government chiefs to address the traffic issue caused by the rally.

"The president’s instructions were to ensure the safety of the public, not just those who are involved in the protest, but more importantly, those who are uninvolved in the protest; meaning, the greater population who passes through that entire thoroughfare," she added.

For his part, Roxas assured the public that traffic along EDSA would remain open as the Iglesia ni Cristo members continue to hold their protest rally at EDSA-Shaw Boulevard.

At a press conference before noon on Saturday, Roxas said the northbound and southbound lanes of the EDSA underpass would remain open for motorists.

He added that the eastbound and westbound overpass along Mandaluyong and Pasig would also remain open to avoid heavy traffic.

"Labing pitong milyon ang mga kababayaan sa [National Capital Region] at itong mga kalye, arteries na ito ay kailangang manatiling bukas," he said. "Kumbaga kung sa kalusugan ng tao, kung magkaroon ng blockage, konek-konektado na po yan."

"Baka magka-heart attack o stroke kaya kailangan manatiling bukas ang main arteries na ito," he added. "Ang layunin kung bakit kami nagpulong ngayon, sinisiguro ang kapakanan ng lahat, yung traffic at pangalawa, ang kaligtasan ng kapatiran ng Iglesia ni Cristo habang sila ay nagkakaroon ng activity." — JDS, GMA News

Tags: iglesianicristo, iglesianicristoabductions, edsa, traffic