Traffic rerouting around EDSA-Shaw as Iglesia protest continue http://t.co/zy8nImXwcF pic.twitter.com/i8fNDbCOOT
— GMA News (@gmanews) August 30, 2015
MANILA — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino advised motorists to take alternate routes to their destinations due to an ongoing rally staged by members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), who gathered in EDSA, Mandaluyong City.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, Tolentino said the alternate route for northbound take the roads in Pioneer while for southbound take the roads in San Juan City headed towards to their destination.
He added that for the first time, the traffic enforcers in the cities of Quezon, Mandaluyong and Makati will be seen in EDSA and C-5 to help and manage the traffic flow.
“For the first time, gagamitin natin ayon sa kasunduan kanina, traffic enforcers ng Quezon City, tutuntong sa EDSA; tutuntong sa C5. ‘Yung traffic enforcers ng Mandaluyong, tutuntong na rin sa EDSA para tumulong at karagdagan. ‘Yung Makati tutulong na rin. So, nakita ninyo ‘yung LGUs katulong na rin,” he noted.
The city government of Mandaluyong has allowed the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) to hold its rally at Shaw Boulevard corner EDSA from Saturday until Sunday, August 30.
The INC request, filed on Friday, asked for permission to assemble in Crossing in Mandaluyong from 1 a.m. Saturday, August 29, until 3 p.m. Monday, August 31.
Under the permit, the rally must be limited to the area under the Shaw station of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3), crossing major thoroughfare EDSA, or only the ground level of Crossing to allow southbound and northbound vehicles to use the underpass, and for those from Pasig City plying Shaw Blvd and vice versa to use the EDSA flyover.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said that the policemen deployed in parts of EDSA where INC followers have converged were tasked to maintain peace and order in the area.
“Ang layunin namin kaya kami nagpulong para masiguro ang kapakanan ng pangkalahatan lalung-lalo na sa daloy ng traffic, at pangalawa, sa kaligtasan kasama na ang Kapatiran ng Iglesia ni Cristo habang sila po ay nagkakaroon ng activity. Ginagawa lang naman po natin sa mahinahon at maayos na paraan ‘yung trabaho at tungkulin nating panatilihin ang kaayusan—‘yung general welfare na tinatawag ng lahat ng naninirahan dito sa Kamaynilaan,” said Roxas.
“Para sa kaalaman ng ating mga taga subaybay, yung north bound ito yung underpass, magmula rito sa crame patungong Makati halimbawa Paranaque o kaya magmula naman doon patungong Quezon City, ‘yan po ay pananatilihing bukas. Tapos meron ding overpass dito—East West Overpass—magmula sa Mandaluyong patungong Pasig mananatili ring bukas d’yan,” he said.
“Mahirap itong trabahong ito pero palagay ko naman lahat ng panig, kasama na ang ating mga kapatid natin sa Iglesia, ay nagnanais na kaayusan at kapayapaan ang manatili dito sa atin,” he said.
“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. Lalo na ‘yung mga kababayan nating pauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan para magpahinga at makasama ang kanilang mga pamilya,” Roxas said.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office is on full alert status.
Pagdilao said the highest police alert status took effect at 6 p.m. Friday, adding that police commanders in Manila and Eastern Police District have already been informed of it.
Roxas also said that the Philippine National Police was duty-bound to ensure that the safety and general welfare of the public is maintained, both those protesting and those uninvolved.
“This includes making sure opportunists do not try to take advantage of the situation for personal ends. Let us remember that ours is a Rule of Law and not of men,” the DILG chief stressed.
INC members have massed up in EDSA and P. Faura, Manila to protest the alleged meddling of the Department of Justice in the affairs of the religious group.