MMDA chief sees no problem with 'peaceful, orderly' Iglesia ni Cristo protest

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino finds no issue with the Iglesia ni Cristo's protest action at EDSA, describing it so far to be peaceful and orderly.
 
"Maayos ngayon, disiplinado naman ang mga participants. Inaasahan pa ang ganyang uri ng pag-uugali at pagkilos. Walang nakikitang gasinong problema ngayon," Tolentino told radio dzBB in an interview.
 
More members of the Iglesia ni Cristo were expected to join the gathering at EDSA-Shaw on Sunday, the religious group's fourth day of protest against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's order to investigate the alleged abductions of their ministers.

As of this posting, the crowd estimate at EDSA-Shaw was 2,000.
 
The MMDA chairman said that during a meeting with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Mayors Herbert Bautista of Quezon City and Benhur Abalos of Mandaluyong City, it was decided that the protesting Iglesia ni Cristo members will not be dispersed by the police.
 
"Napagkasunduan na hayaan ang malayang pagkilos," he said.

The protest was given a permit to rally until Sunday.
 
Tolentino added that the MMDA and the concerned local government units will continue to deploy more personnel to handle the traffic on EDSA, which has been affected by the protest action.
    
The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, has put in place visibility mobile patrol and assistance centers in the area of protest.
 
Eastern Police Districf chief Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias said the PNP is closely working with the MMDA and the local government units to maintain peace in the area. - Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/JST, GMA News