Philippine sect gathers to oppose VP Duterte impeachment

MANILA: More than a million members of an influential religious sect gathered in the Philippine capital on Monday, police said, opposing steps to unseat Vice President Sara Duterte.

Crowds wearing white shirts flocked to Manila´s Quirino Grandstand for the “national rally for peace”, organised by the conservative Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), or Church of Christ. The powerful sect opposes moves to impeach Duterte, a former ally of President Ferdinand Marcos, in the House of Representatives.

“There are many more things which our citizens need that must be attended to. These will not be achieved if all we see taking place is conflict,” church spokesman Edwil Zabala said ahead of the rally.

Schools, government offices and major roads were closed for the event, as police estimated 1.6 million people had gathered at the grandstand. John Carlo Guingab, who travelled 155-kms from his home in Tarlac province to attend the rally, waved a banner that read: “Put the country first, not the disagreements”.

“We are opposing the impeachment because that won´t bring any good. That´s useless for the country,” the 23-year-old told AFP. Lawmaker Rodante Marcoleta, an INC member and Duterte ally, said in his speech that ousting the vice president can only cause political divide that could harm the nation.