El Shaddai denies violating health protocols during Dec. 26 gathering

Catholic charismatic movement El Shaddai on Monday denied violating health protocols during its December 26 gathering, saying its members only looked like they were close to each other due to the aerial angle of the video of the event.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras,” Parañaque District 1 disciple-in-charge Bro. Jasper Garcia also said it was raining during the gathering and its participants took out their umbrellas which made it look like there was no social distancing implemented.

“Kung titignan niyo po kasi, aerial view ‘yong kuha eh. Siyempre, ‘pag nasa itaas ka, ‘pag kinuhanan mo ang mga bagay sa baba, liliit,” Garcia said.

“Eh at the same time umulan, nagpayong ‘yong mga tao. Ang pagkakaunawa natin diyan eh nagkadikit-dikit pero hindi tao ang nagkadikit-dikit, ’yong mga payong kasi ang lalaki ng mga payong eh pero kung titingnan mo sa baba, kung kukuhanan mo ng larawan ‘yong mga miyembro na dumadalo doon, may physical distancing po talaga,” he added.

Earlier, Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said religious gatherings are usually allowed provided that the 30 percent seating or venue capacity limit set by the national government is followed.

Olivarez noted that in this recent El Shaddai gathering, it seemed that the 30 percent seating capacity was not observed.

The mayor added the city government was not informed about the event so it also had no permit.

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force COVID Shield chief Police Lieutenant General Cesar Hawthorne Binag said the gathering was being investigated in coordination with the Parañaque City government.

Olivarez said the local government is expecting the explanation of El Shaddai regarding the matter until Tuesday. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News