LOS BANOS, Laguna, Philippines—Hundreds of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, who were going to attend the religious sect’s grand assembly at the Quirino Grandstand, were stranded at one of their local churches from Tuesday morning until noon due to a shortage of buses, according to reports reaching the police Highway Patrol Group.
Chief Superintendent Arnel Escobal, HPG Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna) director, whose office monitored major thoroughfares going to Manila in relation to the INC event, said the stranded members were at their church compound in Barangay Mayapa in Calamba City, Laguna from 8:30 a.m. until noon Tuesday.
The group was only able to leave for Manila at around 2 p.m. after another fleet of buses came to fetch them, according to another report reaching the HPG.
The HPG and the local police in Calamba City reported traffic was normal throughout the day on the national roads and on the South Luzon expressway.
In San Pedro, Laguna, Beth Picart, a member of the INC, said about 500 members from their local church had left the province on seven buses and a number of jeepneys at around 8 a.m. to take part in the group’s gathering in Manila.
She said the INC, one of the most influential religious groups, provided the vehicles to its members in the provinces.