The rector of EDSA Shrine observed an unusual volume of people flocking to the historic church Tuesday morning, prompting him to remind the public to practice proper decorum and respect when visiting holy places.
“They were warmly allowed inside the Shrine and they participated in the celebration of the 7 a.m. mass,” Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano said.
He said hundreds of people arrived at the EDSA Shrine at 6 a.m. “for reasons only known to them, and for some, unknown to them.”
“After the mass, they opted to stay inside and were again accommodated and not shooed away as alleged by some,” he said.
“We were glad that they filled-up the pews which do not normally happen on weekdays. They will be allowed again to stay inside the shrine on the pretext that they are praying and not doing things not proper for a house of worship,” he added.
He noted that proper decorum must be observed in sacred places.
“Be informed that we won’t tolerate any unruly behavior and untoward activities that may compromise the sanctity and dignity of the House of God,” Secillano said.
He said people are not allowed to “eat, drink, carry slogans, shout, vlog, sleep, make noise, or debate” inside the shrine.
“Let us all pray that whatever may have caused this sudden surge in the number of ‘shrine-goers’ be dealt with utmost sobriety and decency,” he said.
“Let us also invoke the Holy Spirit to give wisdom and understanding to all parties concerned to avert the deterioration of peace and order not only in the Shrine but in our country as well. Lastly, let us invoke the our Lady of EDSA, Queen of Peace to bring peace to our country and to each one.”
Earlier, supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte camped outside the Veterans Memorial Medical Center where her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, was confined.
On Monday, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) said it was still in the planning stage on whether or not to conduct a rally in support of the Vice President.
Tagum City businessman Cesar Cuntapay, who is the PDP Laban’s congressional bet in the 2025 mid-term election against Vice Governor De Carlo Oyo Uy, disclosed they are still planning their move now that the conflict between the Vice President and the administration “has worsened.”
“It’s not that easy to put into action such a big plan. It needs a thorough plan and we are still in the planning stage” he said.
