Police authorities have confiscated banners and placards from militants attending Wednesday’s “Edsa Tayo” prayer vigil. Authorities maintain that the event should be a peaceful assembly and not a political rally, and this was seconded by Junep Ocampo, one of the organizers.
“Ito po ay hindi political rally, ito po ay prayer vigil. Ito ay isang exercise of faith, hindi po ito sigawan o protesta na aalisin si PNoy. Ito po ay pagdarasal, pag-aaral para po alisin ang pork barrel,” dzmm quoted Ocampo’s Facebook message.
Ocampo gave a crowd estimate of 2,000 participants around noontime, and said the numbers could swell up to as much as 5,000. Father Noli Mangusad led the Eucharistic celebration while University of the Philippines Professor Winnie Monsod and Professor Leonor Briones gave lectures on pork barrel. An inter-faith gathering has been scheduled at 4 p.m. A vigil candle will also be lit at the EDSA Shrine and will remain there for one week. Prayers for the abolition of the pork barrel will be offered every night.
Metro police and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) constables are on standby in case of security or traffic problems. At the same time, the Manila Police District has beefed up security in Mendiola and the Malacanang area in case militant groups decide to march to Mendiola and continue the protest against the pork barrel.
[Photo: Inquirer News]
