Share

Philippine sect members block off main highway in Manila

Manila - Thousands of members of a Christian sect in the Philippines on Sunday brought traffic along the capital's main highway to a standstill, demanding a halt to an investigation of their leaders on charges of detaining a dismissed pastor.

An estimated 15 000 members of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) sect occupied sections of the highway to force Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to stop the investigation, which was launched after a pastor said INC leaders prevented him from leaving his house.

The pastor was dismissed after INC leaders accused him of exposing on a blog alleged financial irregularities in the sect.

Church leaders said the case, resulting from infighting over the use of church funds, was an internal matter and the government should not interfere.

It was the fourth day of protests by the INC, which is demanding that De Lima respects the doctrine of separation of the Church and the state and stops harassing its senior leaders.

The INC insisted that the criminal complaint filed by one of the sect ministers before the justice department could be resolved internally within the church.

"This is sickening, these people [INC members] are holding hostage the government and our officials are not doing anything about this" said Martin Abueva an irate motorist stuck in the massive traffic jam in EDSA.

"These people think that they are above the law, just because they have command vote during elections," he added.

The INC sect members occupied the EDSA highway, in violation of a rally permit issued to them by the mayor of the Manila suburban city of Mandaluyong.

Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, a police district director, said he would continue to negotiate for a "peaceful dispersal" of the INC members, while Abalos said he is still thinking whether or not to extend the rally permit.

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Union of Philippine Workers), a leftist labour group, denounced the political accommodation given to the INC members.

"When we take to the streets to air our grievances, police forcefully disperse us because we block the traffic, but when these INC members occupy EDSA, the police and our officials are not doing anything," said Leody De Guzman, the group's chairperson. ?

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 285 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 402 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.00
-0.5%
Rand - Pound
24.02
-0.5%
Rand - Euro
20.53
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.37
-0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.6%
Platinum
904.37
+0.8%
Palladium
1,014.65
+1.3%
Gold
2,205.79
+0.5%
Silver
24.61
-0.1%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,281
+0.9%
All Share
74,458
+0.7%
Resource 10
57,014
+2.4%
Industrial 25
103,960
+0.7%
Financial 15
16,486
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE