Palace welcomes Iglesia ni Cristo order to end rally

Malacañang on Monday thanked the leaders of Iglesia ni Cristo for directing their members to withdraw from their gathering sites, after the gathering caused massive traffic gridlock in the affected areas.

“We appreciate the INC leadership’s directives for the withdrawal of their members from their gathering sites,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press statement.

He added that they were thankful that no serious injuries came about in the past few days, and that the public can now prepare to go to work and school on Tuesday after the long weekend.

“Through goodwill and the convergence of efforts, the rule of law has been upheld,” Lacierda said without elaborating. “Diplomacy therefore was an important tool in avoiding unintended consequences.”

President Benigno Aquino III and some members of his Cabinet met Sunday evening to discuss the protest actions staged by Iglesia ni Cristo members, which resulted in a major traffic situation in Padre Faura and some parts of EDSA.

GMA News Online asked Lacierda about the meeting but he has yet to reply as of Monday noon.

Lacierda, in the press statement, said the mass action stemmed from their sentiments regarding a complaint filed by two Iglesia ni Cristo members before the Department of Justice.

“Their protests, like all others, involve a disagreement,” he said.

He said Malacañang exerted efforts so that calmer heads will prevail and such disagreements are resolved peacefully through mutual respect.

“Just as it was important to protect the rights of all, ensure public safety, and minimize opportunities for sowing mayhem, we knew that a truly long-term solution involved engendering an atmosphere of dialogue, which will result in deescalating the situation that created tensions in the first place,” Lacierda said.

He added that the government was resolved not to inflame passions, which he said could have given an opening to those with selfish agendas to further exacerbate the conflict.  —KBK, GMA News