INC: No muscle flexing in medical mission

MANILA, Philippines - A senator smelled a political message, but the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) debunked criticism that the outreach mission the religious group held yesterday in various parts of Manila was a show of force.

Edwil Zabala, spokesman for yesterday’s event dubbed “Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko,” told reporters the program was not a case of political muscle flexing.

“Let me assure you there is no politics here,” Zabala said.

He pointed out that speculation about a show of force may be valid if it was the first time that the event was being held.

“But the Kabayan Ko Kapatid Ko has been conducted many times,” he said.

It was the first time that the event was held in the city of Manila, creating monstrous traffic jams despite the suspension of classes and court proceedings on the first day of the week.

People criticized the mayors, particularly Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, for not convincing the INC to hold the event on a weekend, when there would be less disruption and inconvenience to residents and commuters.

Litigants whose hearings were postponed lamented that it would take months for them to get another court date.

Zabala maintained that the main objective of the event was to spread the word of God, even as he apologized to those inconvenienced by the traffic jams all over the metropolis.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, however, did not discount the political undertones of the gathering of INC members in Manila.

“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.

The INC event snarled traffic and forced mayors to suspend classes, while some government offices, including courts, were forced to stop operations.

Netizens likewise hit the show of force by the religious group that is known to order members to engage in bloc voting during elections.

“Grabe ang traffic congestion sa Metro because of medical mission ng Iglesia ni Cristo in different areas, sana ginawa na lang nila sa sports complex sa QC or Manila. Politics pa rin, show of force!” said journalist Al Jacinto on Facebook.

Carlos Conde, a former journalist, also criticized what he called an example of “sectarian politics” in the country.

“The only reason this favored sect is given special treatment by government is because its members are commanded to vote for their leaders’ candidates or they burn in hell,” Conde said.

The event yesterday started at about 5 a.m. and combined INC’s two major activities: dental-medical mission and distribution of relief packs, and evangelical missions.

According to Zabala, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc. had been involved in such activities since its launching last April. He said prior to yesterday’s schedule, the INC also held events in Parañaque and La Union.

Five days from now, members of the religious groups will fly to the United States for a similar program.

Zabala explained that the group chose Monday because it was the only available schedule they have before they leave for the US.

It was only yesterday, however, that the event hogged the limelight because of the monstrous traffic congestion as entire streets, even major ones like R. Magsaysay Blvd. in Sta. Mesa, were blocked off as parking areas for the jeepneys and buses hired to ferry participants.

Several local government units in the metropolis, including Manila, suspended classes due to the expected traffic jams.

In a text message last week, Manila’s public information officer Diego Cagahastian said Mayor Joseph Estrada signed an executive order suspending classes because the event was expected to gather 1.6 million participants.

Zabala clarified that the group never asked the local government units to suspend classes.

He said their only expectation was that the traffic will be affected, that’s why the organizers coordinated with the police.

INC members and non-members trooped to five sites in Manila where Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko was held.

Heavy traffic

News reports quoting Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Isagani Genabe Jr. said about 3 million participated in the event. -With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez, Edu Punay, Jaime Laude