No politics in Iglesia ni Cristo's mammoth medical mission – official

(Updated 2:02 p.m.) - A religious official on Monday said Iglesia ni Cristo's mammoth medical mission is not politically motivated, but rather a religious event.

There has been speculation that an INC event of this size – essentially shutting down traffic in parts of Metro Manila as well as cancelling classes in many school – is a show of force to the government, to politicians, and even to the general public, which could not even mobilize similar numbers for its "Million People March" in Luneta last August.

 

In an interview on GMA News TV's News To Go, Edwil Zabala, Iglesia ni Cristo's Minister of Gospel, said this is not the first time they have conducted the activity.

 

"Dahil hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na ginanap ang 'Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko,' gaya ng nagdaang mga pagsasagawa namin nito sa ibang bahagi ng bansa, gayun na rin sa ibang bansa po, wala naman pong bumangon na ganoong impresyon doon sa mga kababayan," he said.

 

"Sana po kalimutan na lamang po sa ganoong pag-iisip dahil wala namang ganoong layunin ang Iglesia ni Cristo," he added.

 

Meanwhile, in a separate press conference that aired on GMA News TV's News TV Live, Zabala stressed that the event was conducted in accordance with biblical teachings.

 

"'Love your neighbor as you love yourself,' which we can find recorded on Mark 12:31 and Mathew 22:37-39," he cited.

 

When asked why the event was not done over the weekend, Zabala said: "Gusto po sana namin na ganoon ang mangyari... Wala na po kaming pagkakataong gawin sa area na ito maliban sa araw na ito."

 

"Bigyan ko po kayo ng halimbawa. Noong Sabado, nagsagawa po kami sa La Union. Noong Martes, nagsagawa kami sa Parañaque. Ngayon, naririto. Limang araw po mula ngayon, October 19, gagawin po ito sa San Francisco, California po. Sa October 26 po, gaganapin po ito sa Pangasinan. Dikit-dikit na po," he noted.

 

He however noted that the event will only last until 12 noon Monday. "Half day lang po," he said.


Classes in NCR suspended

 

Classes in elementary and high school in both public and private schools in 12 cities and the municipality of Pateros were suspended on Monday in anticipation of the traffic for the religious event.

 

According to the DepEd's 8:52 p.m. advisory, classes from preschool to high school in all private and public schools in the National Capital Region are suspended Monday:

 

Earlier, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada suspended classes up to the college level in Manila, where some two million people are expected to take part in the religious group's medical and dental mission.

Traffic rerouting

 

Commuters and motorists were also advised by MMDA last Sunday to take alternative routes within Metro Manila on Monday.

 

The event will be undertaken simultaneously in five locations:

In the past, most of Iglesia ni Cristo's major events drew large crowds. Last February 2012, at least 600,000 attended the Grand Evangelical Mission of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Manila. The event caused traffic jams in several parts of Metro Manila, even hours after it ended

 

In fact, then-MMDA traffic discipline unit head Yves Gonzalez tweeted his apologies, saying he and his men could only do so much after working 18 hours straight. —Amanda Fernandez and Andreo Calonzo/KG/HS, GMA News