Amid crowd gathered at EDSA Shrine, rector calls for decorum, respect in sacred places

The rector of the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine) issued a reminder for the public to practice proper decorum and respect in visiting holy places as people flock over to the historic church on Tuesday morning.

In an advisory, Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano said that hundreds of people arrived at the EDSA Shrine starting at 6 a.m. “for reasons only known to them, and for some, unknown to them.”

"They were warmly allowed inside the Shrine and they participated in the celebration of the 7:00AM mass," Secillano said.

"After the mass, they opted to stay inside and were again accommodated and not shooed away as alleged by some," he also said, adding that the people also attended the 12:15 p.m. mass.

“We were glad that they filled-up the pews which do not normally happen on weekdays. They will be allowed again to stay inside the shrine on the pretext that they are praying and not doing things not proper for a house of worship,” the priest said.

“We insist that proper decorum must be practiced in a sacred place, a house of worship and a repository of the Blessed Sacrament. Be informed that we won’t tolerate any unruly behavior and untoward activities that may compromise the sanctity and dignity of the House of God,” he added.

The EDSA Shrine was established on December 1989 as a dedication to Mary, Queen of Peace who was believed to have played a part in the peaceful and bloodless People Power Revolution that ousted former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1986.

It was referred to as “Holy Ground” after another peaceful people power took place in EDSA in January 2001.

Secillano said the people are not allowed to "eat, drink, carry slogans, shout, vlog, sleep, make noise, debate.

The people are not allowed to loiter in the areas leading to the doors of the shrine because this might give the impression to visitors who are to attend masses or seek a place to pray that the Shrine is not available.

He said the Shrine will maintain normal operations and prayed that the surge of church-goers would be dealt with “utmost sobriety and decency.”

"Let us all pray that whatever may have caused this sudden surge in the number of “shrine-goers” be dealt with utmost sobriety and decency," the rector said.

"Let us also invoke the Holy Spirit to give wisdom and understanding to all parties concerned to avert the deterioration of peace and order not only in the Shrine but in our country as well. Lastly, let us invoke the our Lady of EDSA, Queen of Peace to bring peace to our country and to each one."

Duterte supporters

As of 7:30 p.m., supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte continue to gather at the EDSA Shrine.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Raffy Tima on Tuesday, supporters were allowed to stay in the area as long as they wanted, provided that they did not obstruct pedestrians and traffic.

The police continue to monitor at the front of the Shrine and along the EDSA-Ortigas Flyover. They denied allegations that they plan to disperse the crowd.

Meanwhile, a fire truck arrived in the area to monitor a planned candle-lighting ceremony.

Sambayanan Secretary General and Volunteer Leader Ka Eric Celiz assured that the gathering shall remain peaceful and that they had no intentions to be violent.

“Ang aim dito ay magkaroon ng araw ng pagpapahayag, but the people will have to speak up and stand up dahil hindi na maayos ng nangyayari sa ating bansa. Nanawagan kami na ang military forces, and PNP and AFP, ang security sector ay dapat kilalanin nila ang karapatan ng mamamayan sa mapayapang pagtitipon at sa sama-samang pagkilos as guaranteed by the Constitution,” said Celiz.

(The aim here is to have a day to express ourselves, but the people will have to speak up and stand up because we will no longer be able to fix what is happening in this country. We are calling the military forces, and PNP and AFP, and the security sector to recognize the rights of citizens for peaceful gatherings and a joint mobilization as guaranteed by the constitution.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News