PNP to intervene in EDSA Shrine gathering if it affects traffic

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that it will interfere with the gathering of crowd at the EDSA Shrine if traffic is already affected.

“Hindi naman natin papayagan na sakupin nila yung kahabaan ng Ortigas Avenue and even EDSA po dahil ito po ay makakapekto sa daloy ng trapiko. That’s the only time na mag-i-intervene po yung PNP,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo told Dobol B TV in an interview. 

(We will not allow them to occupy the stretch of Ortigas Avenue and even EDSA because this will affect the flow of traffic. That's the only time the PNP will intervene.)

“And that’s precisely the reason mini-maintain natin yung security coverage to make sure na hindi po sila lalagpas doon sa bounds ng pagpayag ng management ng EDSA Shrine,” she added.

(And that's precisely the reason we will maintain the security coverage to make sure that they will not go beyond the bounds of the EDSA Shrine management's permission.)

As of 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Fajardo said around 100 people were still monitored in the area. 

There is no indication that the PNP needs to raise alert status in light of the gathering at the EDSA Shrine, according to Fajardo. 

However, Fajardo said that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has the discretion to adjust its alert status in response to the development in the area.

'Proper decorum'

On Tuesday, 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.

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.”

“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 said. 

Amid crowd gathered at EDSA Shrine, rector calls for decorum, respect in sacred places | GMA News Online

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,” Celiz said.

(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.) 

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.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News