Iglesia ni Cristo (INC, Church of Christ) insists that their colossal medical, relief, and evangelical mission held October 14 in Manila was not politically motivated.<\/p>\n
Speculations and allegations circulated that the event was not for the purpose of evangelism and goodwill, but to show off their massive number as a force to reckoned with in terms of delivering political support and influence.<\/p>\n
“Dahil hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na ginanap ang ‘Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko,’ gaya ng nagdaang mga pagsasagawa namin nito sa ibang bahagi ng bansa, gayun na rin sa ibang bansa po, wala naman pong bumangon na ganoong impresyon doon sa mga kababayan<\/em> (This is not the first time the \u2018Kabayan Ko, Kapatid ko\u2019 program was held, just like the programs in other parts of the country and even in countries overseas. Nothing stirred the same speculations with our fellow Filipinos there),” Bro. Edwil Zabala, INC\u2019s Minister of Gospel, explained in an interview for GMA News TV\u2019s morning news program \u2018News To Go.\u2019<\/p>\n “Sana po kalimutan na lamang po sa ganoong pag-iisip dahil wala namang ganoong layunin ang Iglesia ni Cristo<\/em> (We hope we will just forget about such thoughts because the Church of Christ has no such intentions),” Zabala added.<\/p>\n The event required the cancellations of classes in all levels in Manila. The group was even issued a permit from the Office of the Mayor to close down major streets in the city, causing terrible traffic and build-up in nearby areas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some people even pointed out that intentionally political rallies like the recent \u201cMillion People March\u201d could not even gather the support of that much people.<\/p>\n To expel such allegations, Zabala quoted a Biblical verse in his statement.<\/p>\n