MANILA, Philippines — About 100 people massed in front of the EDSA Shrine in Pasig City on Tuesday although the reason for their presence was not clear and who their leader was.
Rector Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano said in a Facebook post, that the people were at the Shrine as early as 6 a.m. for “reasons only known to them, and for some, unknown to them.”
“They were warmly allowed inside the Shrine and they participated in the celebration of the 7:00 a.m. mass,” he said.
Secillano also said those who flocked to the shrine opted to stay inside, and were accommodated and not “shooed away.”
The same people attended the 12:15 p.m. mass, but were allowed again to stay inside the church, given that they were praying and not doing anything else.
Secillano said, however, that they “won’t be allowed to eat, drink, carry slogans, shout, vlog, sleep, make noise, debate and loiter in the areas leading to the doors of the shrine. The latter will give the impression to mass-goers, pilgrims and devotees that the Shrine is not available for worship and prayer.”
“We insist that proper decorum be practiced in this sacred place, a house of worship and a repository of the Blessed Sacrament,” he added.
He warned that the Church “won’t tolerate any unruly behavior and untoward activities that may compromise the sanctity and dignity of the House of God.”
The Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI), a network known to be loyal to the Dutertes, live streamed the gathering.
No other details are available as of posting time.
