Duterte family supporters refute PNP claims of receiving cash at EDSA Shrine

Supporters of the Duterte family refute the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) claim that they received money in exchange for their presence at the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City.

In Bernadette Reyes’ Wednesday report on "24 Oras," some supporters set up makeshift beds along the street as they stayed at the EDSA Shrine for more than 24 hours.

Some supporters conducted a program until 1 a.m. to show support for Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

They said they wanted to allot a day in which they can express themselves in relation to the recent events in the country.

“Itong EDSA Shrine, ito yung lugar na kung saan maglalabas ang taong bayan kapag ang namumuno sa isang bansa ay palpak. Dito nagaganap,” supporter Zaira Ampuan said.

(The EDSA Shrine is where the people voice out their concerns when the leader of the country is a failure. It happens here.)

Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Permanent Committee on Public Affairs and EDSA Shrine rector said, “Di naman unruly. Yung nga lang yung iba kumakain na sa loob ng simbahan dahil pagod na tsaka gutom. Nakita natin yung iba na nakasalampak, natutulog. Tapos yung iba nga kumakain na, umiinom ng tubig. Para bang clueless eh kung anong gagawin nila.”

(They are not unruly. However, some were eating, drinking water, and sleeping inside the church. It seems that they are clueless as to what they are supposed to do.)

Secillano, in an earlier statement, said people started to gather at the shrine on Tuesday morning.

“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.

On the same day, the PNP released a video showing that some supporters were offered money in exchange for their presence at the EDSA Shrine.

“Pinangakuan daw na babayaran sila at pakakainin and in fact yung iba sa kanila ay nagrereklamo dahil allegedly ang pangako sa kanila ay bibigyan sila ng P500 for 3 days pero ang ibinigay lang ay P200,” said PNP spokesperson P/Brigadier General Jean Fajardo.

(They were promised payment and food. In fact, some were complaining because they were allegedly promised P500 for three days, but they were only given P200.)

The allegations were refuted by some supporters, who said they were not paid in unison.

The supporters are expected to remain in the EDSA Shrine until Thursday. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News