Church-led rally seeks gov’t action vs abortion pills

MANILA, Philippines—Some 2,000 devotees and parishioners of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene marched Friday afternoon from the Quiapo Church to city hall, calling for immediate government action to stop the sale of abortion pills in the vicinity.

The group, led by Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, submitted a petition letter to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim specifically seeking the reorganization of an anti-Cytotec task force.

Ignacio and his parishioners also sought the passage of an ordinance banning the sale of Cytotec, a drug known to induce abortion.

The group also sought the arrest of suppliers and distributors of the abortive pills as well as the arrest of suspected abortionists.