Iglesia members return to Edsa Shrine

After a two night vigil at the intersection of Edsa and Shaw Boulevard, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo rushed to the Edsa Shrine anewon Sunday afternoon where their activity first began.

Edsa’s northbound lane was blocked anew by thousands of INC members, who marched in the rain despite policemen’s pleas for them to stay at their designated rally site.

INC members even shouted “INC!” and “Hustisya!” despite the fact that there was an ongoing Mass at the Edsa Shrine, a Catholic church, and that the priest’s homily was heard outside through a public address system.

The crowd eventually went silent and stood by the sidewalks to let some vehicles pass on the northbound lane.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, the Philippine National Police placed the crowds at Shaw Boulevard and Edsa Shrine to be 14,500.

PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, said those at the Shaw Boulevard rally were 13,000, while 1,500 marched to the Edsa Shrine.

Some of the INC members first attempted to walk towards Ortigas Avenue on the northbound lane but were blocked by a handful of policemen and a patrol crew cab.

It may be recalled that the Mandaluyong City government only allowed them to hold their activity at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard until Sunday night.

The policemen tried to reason with the members, who claimed that the policemen had no right to stop them.

Other members even crossed from the southbound lane to the northbound lane despite the warnings of policemen.

The march to Ortigas Avenue took 30 minutes, with the rain unable to stop them or dwindle their numbers.

At the Edsa Shrine, anti-riot cops surrounding the chapel at first donned their gear of helmets, shields and truncheons.

However, a commander ordered them to put down their gear – leaving them with only their caps and reflective vests.

This was the very same gear that the policemen sported on Friday night when they first came face to face with the INC members, who initially gathered in front of the Catholic shrine before moving to Shaw Boulevard.

At the Edsa Shrine, the hooting and shouting of the INC members got so loud that it almost drowned out the Mass being broadcasted outside on a public address system.

As of posting time, the rain has failed to deter the INC members who have been marching toward the People Power Monument.

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