Rally at Plaza Independencia from noon today to noon tomorrow
Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Dumaguete will hold a rally starting at 9 a.m. today as part of a nationwide protest against a Department of Justice (DOJ) inquiry into some of their leaders.
A member who requested anonymity said their district minister in Cebu announced this during yesterday’s church service. A similar INC gathering will also be held in Davao City.
“Yes, everyone is asked to join except for children and elderly especially those who have health problems,” she told Cebu Daily News.
An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 members and supporters of INC are expected to join today’s rally in Cebu City.
The nationwide rallies are meant to protest the ongoing DOJ inquiry into the alleged detention of some INC officials.
Support
The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will deploy traffic enforcers at the Plaza Independencia for the rally.
“I’m confident that this gathering cannot substantially affect traffic as it falls on a holiday,” CCTO chief Rey Gealon said.
Gealon met with INC ministers last Friday for today’s scheduled prayer rally.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, who heads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), said they were told by INC leaders that the “prayer rally” will start at 9 a.m. today and end at noon tomorrow.
“We will lend support for peace and order. Our emergency medical services will also be on standby. We just requested them that they should not obstruct traffic and stay within Plaza Independencia,” Tumulak said.
Religion
INC members have occupied a portion of the EDSA Boulevard in Manila causing heavy traffic congestion.
Tumulak said they were assured by local INC leaders that today’s rally will be held within the premises of the Plaza Independencia since the Cebu City government didn’t allow them to troop to the streets.
INC members will gather at the INC Church at General Maxilom Avenue and march toward Fuente Osmeña, Colon Street and Plaza Independencia.
“What we are fighting for is our religion. Justice should be fair here in the Philippines. It’s all about faith. If you have a strong faith then you will join and there’s no time to complain,” said the female INC member.
The female INC member said she plans to stay at the rally site until midnight. She said they were advised to bring extra shirts, food and “anything that we need.”
Expelled
“Let’s see how many members are coming. It is also timely that they schedule this on a holiday. I hope this would not affect much the traffic flow,” she said.
The INC crisis started after top INC leaders Cristina “Ka Tenny” Villanueva Manalo, Felix “Ka Angel” Nathaniel Villanueva Manalo, Marco Eraño Villanueva Manalo and Lolita Manalo Jimenez were expelled from their church.
The order stated that the expulsion came due to their “acts that aim to create divisions inside the INC church.”
Earlier, Tenny Manalo, wife of the late INC minister Eraño Manalo, and son Angel released a video on YouTube pleading for help.
The INC was established in the country on July 27, 1914 by the late Felix Manalo. They will celebrate their 101th anniversary this Monday.
In 1939, the Church expanded as far as Ilocos Norte province in Northern Luzon and in Cebu province while it reached in Mindanao in 1946.
In the 60s, the INC took root in northern America, establishing churches in New York, Guam and Canada. It also reached Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa in the 70s.