Roxas: Iglesia ni Cristo's EDSA rally shouldn't impinge on others' rights

Published August 28, 2015 11:24pm

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Friday night said the government recognizes the Iglesia ni Cristo's right to protest, but reminded members of the influential sect that their right cannot trample on the rights of others.

He issued his statement after at least 1,000 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo trooped to EDSA on Friday night, causing a massive traffic jam on a payday.

"While all citizens have the right to be heard and to peaceful assembly, the exercise of these rights cannot impinge on the rights of others or cause inconvenience to anyone," he said.

"Lalo na yung mga kababayan nating pauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan para magpahinga at makasama ang kanilang mga pamilya."

He added that "preserving peace and order with maximum tolerance will be practiced by all responding policemen."

"The [Philippine National Police] is duty-bound to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public is maintained, both those protesting and those uninvolved," Roxas said.

Members of Church began their vigil in front of the Department of Justice compound in Manila on Thursday in protest of what they said was Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's meddling in a complaint filed by an expelled Iglesia minister, Isaias Samson Jr., who said he and his family were detained illegally by Iglesia leaders.

Church leaders have denied the allegations. —Jonathan de Santos/JST, GMA News

Tags: marroxas, iglesianicristo