(Eagle News) – In the end, peaceful efforts still proved the best way for everyone.
On Monday morning, Aug. 31, the Iglesia Ni Cristo ended its peaceful assembly along EDSA after a meeting with the Philippine government where both sides were able to clarify matters. “Peace for everyone” had also been achieved with the meeting.
INC General Evangelist, minister Bienvenido Santiago made the announcement around 8:30 a.m. on national television as the peaceful gatherings of the INC members entered its fifth day on Aug. 31, which coincided with National Heroes’ Day. It was also the sixth death anniversary of the late executive minister Erano G. Manalo.
“ Mga mahal na kapatid sa Iglesia Ni Cristo. Nais po naming ipabatid sa inyong lahat na nagkausap na po ang panig ng Iglesia at ang panig ng Pamahalaan at sa pag-uusap na ito ay nagkapaliwanagan na po ang dalawang panig. Kaya payapa na po ang lahat,” Santiago announced over NET 25 at around 8:30 a.m.
“Ito pong ating isinagawang mapayapang pagtitipon na sinimulan natin nitong Huebes ng hapon ay natatapos na po nang mapayapa rin ngayon pong Lunes ng umaga. Salamat nang marami sa ating Panginoong Diyos! Sa Kanya ang lahat ng kapurihan. Mabuhay ang Iglesia Ni Cristo!” he said.
After the INC’s annoucement, Malacañang on Monday thanked the INC leaders for directing their members to withdraw from their assembly sites. The rallies had caused a huge traffic jam in the affected areas, especially along EDSA and routes leading to this main highway as INC members in the hundreds of thousands travelled on Sunday to join the peaceful assemblies. The INC members came from Northern and Southern Luzon provinces.
“We appreciate the INC leadership’s directives for the withdrawal of their members from their gathering sites,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press statement.
He said Malacanang was thankful that no serious injuries came about in the past few days, and that the public could go back to work and school on Tuesday after the long weekend.
“Through goodwill and the convergence of efforts, the rule of law has been upheld. Diplomacy therefore was an important tool in avoiding unintended consequences,” said Lacierda. He did not elaborate.
The peaceful gatherings of the INC started on Aug. 27, Thursday, in front of the Department of Justice. It was moved along EDSA highway,particularly near Shaw, in Mandaluyong City on Friday night, Aug. 28, where it had since been conducted.
The INC’s peaceful street assemblies became the venue for the INC members to air their demand for the Philippine government to respect the Church’s internal policies and affairs consistent with the constitutional provision on the separation of Church and State.
During the rallies, the INC also asked the DOJ to focus on completing its probe and in filing criminal complaints against those responsible for the Mamasapano massacre of 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force. (PNP-SAF). Two of those killed were INC members. They are Police Officer 2 Nicky Nacino Jr., and Police Officer 2 Ephraim Mejia.
Thousands of INC members who participated in the EDSA vigil, rejoiced as they saw and heard the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s announcement. The INC members then peacefully left the place after cleaning the area.
They also expressed happiness with the outcome of the five-day peaceful gathering.
The Philippine National Police said the INC’s rally had been generally peaceful. Except for the traffic woes, they had not encountered any other problem in connection with the huge INC assembly.
(Eagle News Service)
