ABOUT 20 members of Ruben Ecleo Jr.’s religious cult listened calmly as the verdict was read.
They said the trial of their “supremo” was just part of his “holy mission.”
“Wa ko nabalaka ani na trial kay kahibaw na siya sa tanan mahitabo (I won’t worry about this trial because he already knows what will happen),” said Virgie Luvico, 54, who hails from Tuburan town, Cebu.
She said the events could be compared to Jesus Christ’s suffering where he too was tried by the Roman government before being crucified.
“Mao na iya misyon para sa mga katawhan (That is his mission for the people),” said the member of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA).
Security at the Palace of Justice was heightened in anticipation of a throng of Ecleo supporters but only a small group showed up, most of them wearing white T-shirts.
Visitors were frisked at the entrance of the palace. Two other guards were posted in the court house.
By 6 a.m. at least 36 Cebu City policemen were fielded along with members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team who were scattered around the area.
Media outlets were allowed to send only one representative each in the room to prevent crowding.
The PBMA members who came from different towns of Cebu province said they came after hearing about the court date from radio reports.