INC official asks gov’t to leave them alone

MANILA, Philippines – An official of the indigenous religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) urges authorities to leave them alone, saying they do not mean to cause any problems.

"Gusto naming iparating sa mga kinauukulan, tigilan nila ang panggugulo sa amin...hindi namin sila ginugulo. Kung pwede lang, huwag nila kaming guluhin,” INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said in a state news report.

Zabala said they were forced to stage the protest and exercise their freedom of religion as their appeal for a fair process of the law was not given. However, he clarified that they do not mean to cause harm to the public as they also respect their rights.

"Wala sanang pagtitipon sa Padre Faura na nangyari kung yung aming hinihiling na patas na pagpapatupad ng proseso sa batas, ibinigay, hindi minaniobra,” Zabala added.

"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," Zabala said.

Members of the INC group have been flocking the intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard since Friday to express disagreement with the so-called religious persecution over the case filed against its top officials. They are questioning the "special attention" being given by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on the case.

The protest resulted to heavy traffic prompting motorists and commuters to complain.

Zabala reiterated that they do not mean to cause undue disruption with their protest.

"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.

"Pero nakikiusap po kami sa inyo. Sana po, unawain na lang po ninyo, hindi kami permanenteng titira rito,” Zabala added.

Meanwhile, the Palace on Sunday assured the public that they are monitoring the INC protest in EDSA to ensure that the rally will remain peaceful and will not disrupt citizen’s daily activities.

“Patuloy na sinusubaybayan ng ating mga awtoridad ang mga kaganapang Ito … para matiyak na mananatiling tahimik at maayos ang ginagawang pagpupulong; na ito ay sumusunod sa ating mga batas at hindi nakakaabala sa mga mamamayan na ginagampanan ang kanilang pangkaraniwang aktibidad, lalong-lalo na ngayon ay isang weekend na may holiday pa kinabukasan,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

RELATED: INC leaders appeal for understanding