Roxas: No special treatment for Iglesia ni Cristo

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Tuesday said no special treatment will be given to Iglesia ni Cristo, as speculations continue to grow regarding what was discussed during late Sunday night's meeting between top government officials and leaders of the religious group.

The meeting, attended by President Benigno Aquino III, resulted in the Iglesia ni Cristo ending its days-long protest action on Monday morning that had caused massive traffic jams on EDSA-Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong and Padre Faura Street in Manila where they first gathered.

In a statement, Roxas said the government is not targeting the religious group, alluding to the investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the complaint filed against several Iglesia ni Cristo leaders by a former minister.

"Hindi pinupuntirya ng pamahalaan ang Iglesia ni Cristo at walang special treatment para o laban dito," he said.

Thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo members massed up Thursday last week, days after expelled member Isaias Samson Jr. filed a criminal complaint with the DOJ against members of the group's Sanggunian for allegedly harassing and illegally detaining him and his family.

Calling for her resignation, the Iglesia ni Cristo alleged that De Lima was behind Samson's filing of the complaint.

The group started their protest action in front of the DOJ compound along Padre Faura Street in Manila. They moved to EDSA-Shaw Boulevard on Friday and voluntarily dispersed on Monday morning.

Roxas said no agreement or deal was struck with the religious group during the meeting.

"Hindi po totoong nagkaroon ng kasunduan sa pagitan ng Iglesia ni Cristo at ang pamahalaan," he said. "Sa pamamagitan ng mahinahong pagpapaliwanag at paglilinaw, naabot ang pagkakaunawaan upang igalang ang batas at ang kaukulang proseso." —Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News