MANILA — An official of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has asked the public’s understanding for causing inconvenience brought about by their peaceful assembly along Edsa-Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
According to Edwil Zabala, INC spokesman, they continue to appeal to commuters for the undue disruption they have caused them.
“Doon po sa mga commuters, humihingi po kami ng dispensa. Alam po namin ang pakiramdam ng nata-traffic, natatagalan sa paglalakbay. Alam po namin ‘yon. Ayaw po naming mangyari ‘yon sana,” he said in an interview on Saturday.
He added, “Pero nakikiusap po kami sa inyo. Sana po, unawain na lang po ninyo, hindi kami permanenteng titira rito.”
Since Friday, the INC group has been occupying the intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard to protestthe so called religious persecution over the complaints lodged against the top officials of the group by a dismissed member for alleged abduction and threats.
Zabala noted that they were forced to stage the protest as their request for a fair process of the law was not given.
“Wala sanang pagtitipon sa Padre Faura na nangyari kung yung aming hinihiling na patas na pagpapatupad ng proseso sa batas, ibinigay, hindi minaneobra,” he added.
On Thursday, the group converged in front of the Department of Justice on Padre Faura in Manila, where the case was filed.
“Ginigipit po kami. Natulak tuloy kami rito. Pero rest assured po, hindi po nangangahulugan ‘to na hindi namin mahal ang kapwa namin… Marunong po kaming gumalang sa karapatan ng iba,” added Zabala.
“Gusto naming iparating sa mga kinauukulan, tigilan nila ang panggugulo sa amin…hindi namin sila ginugulo. Kung pwede lang, huwag nila kaming guluhin,” he said.
With this, the INC official urged authorities to leave them alone as they are not causing any problems to them.
Motorists and commuters are complaining the INC started converging in EDSA last Friday, which resulted to a heavy traffic.
The protesters were questioning the special attention being given by Secretary Leila De Lima on the case.