Iglesia ni Cristo protesters still not leaving EDSA

Despite an earlier pronouncement that the group will begin leaving Metro Manila's main thoroughfare at daybreak, protesters from the Iglesia ni Cristo have not yet left EDSA, continuing to make parts of the highway impassable.

Iglesia ni Cristo spokesman Edwil Zabala said the group was still waiting from word from church leadership over their next move.

"Hinihintay namin ang pasya ng pamamahala ng Iglesia ukol sa kung ano ang gagawin namin dito sa nagtitipon sa EDSA," Zabala said in an interview aired over Radio dzBB.

Iglesia ni Cristo members began their mass action last Thursday at the Department of Justice in Padre Faura, before moving to EDSA on Friday.

Parts of EDSA remained closed to motorists on Monday due to the crowd massed there.

UPDATE: As of 7:42 AM, list of not passable, passable roads and traffic updates along EDSA. Take alternate routes pic.twitter.com/LLzvVvNI6x

— Official MMDA (@MMDA) August 30, 2015

The Mandaluyong city government issued a permit for the group to stay at EDSA-Shaw until midnight, but Mayor Benhur Abalos announced during the program that he was allowing protesters to stay until the morning.

The Manila city government had earlier issued a permit to rally for protesters until Sept. 4.

Zabala earlier announced that the group was planning to leave at daybreak, adding that church members would be prohibited from staying there after noon on Monday.

Church members are protesting what they called the government's meddling in internal church affairs. - JST, GMA News