Iglesia ni Cristo's 1.5 to 2 Million show of Force shut down Manila. Photo from Inquirer
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) a Philippine founded religious group, Christian sect causes traffic chaos as more than 1.5 million people bring together in Philippine capital - Manila.
More than 1.5 million people converged on the Philippine capital on Monday for a powerful Christian sect's evangelical event, causing traffic chaos that shut down large parts of the megacity.
The gathering of the secretive and politically influential Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in the historic district of Manila forced all schools and some government offices to close.
The Supreme Court was also suspended, as were some basketball games in the highly popular college league, while Manila's governing authority urged private employers to give their staff a paid day off to avoid the traffic.
"We really apologise for those who were inconvenienced. Maybe they can just pass this off as a minor sacrifice to help their countrymen," Iglesia ni Cristo spokesman Edwin Zaballa said.
Iglesia ni Cristo, which is believed to have about three million members, held the event ostensibly as a medical and charity mission, with its followers giving aid to residents of huge slums.
Zaballa said it was also part of year-long celebrations across the country to mark the lead-up to its centenary next year, and "to spread the word".
Between two and three million people attended the event, according to Manila's police chief, Isagani Genade, while the organisers estimated the crowd at between 1.5 million and two million people.
The event is one of many ostentatious displays of faith in the mainly Catholic Philippines, where religious leaders also wield heavy political influence.
However, not everyone attending was celebrating.
Volunteer-members of the Christian sect the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), prepare to distribute food supplies to the indigent in Manila, Philippines, on Monday. Photo: AP
In a square fronting Manila's central post office, tempers frayed during the fierce afternoon heat as men, women and children jostled while waiting for medical care offered by the group.
"This is madness. I have been here since dawn to get a free medical check-up, but I will get more sick in this heat," said factory worker Flor Kato, a 40-year-old mother of five who was complaining of chest pains.
Several others fainted due to the heat, while others simply gave up in frustration.
Founded by Felix Manalo in 1914, Iglesia ni Cristo exerts huge political influence in the Philippines despite being outnumbered by the country's more than 75 million Catholics.
Its followers are instructed to vote as a bloc, so politicians often seek their leaders' anointment during election season.
Its teachings are more conservative than the Catholic Church, with its followers not allowed to marry non-members. They are also required to give 10 per cent of their salaries to the church.
Miriam: Pols who don't get INC message are fools
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that the evangelical and medical mission of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has a political message, contrary to what Malacañang and the religious group claim.
"There is a message behind the INC event today. If you are a politician and you don't get it, you are a fool," Santiago said in a statement.
The INC event on Monday will provide free medical and dental services to over a million people in Manila that shut down the capital. The Palace has downplayed the claim that the event was a show of force by the influential religous group more than a mere relief mission.
"At this point, we have no reason to believe otherwise than the purpose for which it is being stated that it is a medical and dental mission," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a televised press briefing.
In radio and television interviews, INC's Minister of The Gospel Edwil Zabala denied that politics was behind Monday's event.
He said the INC has long been conducting the same event in various parts of the country to reach out to those who are in need.
On Twitter, several Filipinos complained of the heavy traffic caused by the event, which has also forced local government units in Metro Manila to suspend classes.
Supreme Court Spokesperson Theodore Te particularly criticized local officials responsible for managing the traffic caused by the event of the INC, which he described as a "favored sect." - With report from PhilStar
