Police expect up to 2 million in Iglesia gathering Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines—Police expect up to 2 million people to mass up in Manila’s Rizal Park in the vicinity of the Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday during the “grand evangelical mission” of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), but said there was no need to disrupt the signals of mobile phones as “no security threats have been received by authorities so far.”

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said that while authorities project the crowd to reach around 1 to 2 million, he said that the PNP leadership has not made any recommendations to jam mobile signals in the INC’s religious event like what was done during the Feast of the Black Nazarene last January due to terrorist threats.

Apart from the fact that no security threat was received, Cruz said that the gathering’s religious character was another factor why there was no need to jam mobile phone signals. He said that some 500 policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office and the Manila Police District will be mobilized to maintain order around the Quirino Grandstand from daybreak to dusk.

Cruz added that “enough” cops will be on standby in case additional force will be needed.

“Our security officers will be the first to arrive in the area, but will also be the last to leave. They will stay there until everybody has left the area,” he said.

Apart from government police officers, Cruz Jr. said that security marshals from the INC will help in maintaining peace and order, as well as smooth traffic flows.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier announced that ahead of the 5 p.m. gathering, Katigbak Drive, South Drive and Independence Road will be closed to traffic from 12 noon onwards (traffic scheme for INC prayer rally).

MMDA also said that parking areas around the vicinity of the Quirino Grandstand will be made available for motorists Tuesday.

Amid the “heavy traffic” that is expected to develop Tuesday along the area, Cruz advised motorists to “just stay away from the area if no important business is scheduled to be done.”—Jamie Marie Elona