Palace threatens closure of churches defying ban on religious gatherings: ‘Wag sana dumating doon’

By Prince Golez

Churches that will refuse to follow the prohibition on religious gatherings will be closed down, Malacañang said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the comment after Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that they will open churches at “10 percent” capacity beginning today, Wednesday.

“Ang defiance po ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) resolution is not covered by separation of church and state. What is covered is the freedom to believe and the freedom not to endorse a religion. Pero in the exercise of police powers, we can order the churches closed, huwag sana pong dumating doon, Bishop Pabillo,” Roque said in his virtual presser Tuesday.

“Wala po tayong makakamit na kahit anong objective if you will defy and you will force the state to close the doors of the Church, wala pong paglabag sa separation between church and state if we that because that goes beyond freedom to believe and the prohibition to endorse a religion. That will be an enforcement of police powers to protect the public good,” he also said.

Last Sunday, the IATF imposed additional movement restrictions in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, prohibiting non-essential travel into and out of the said areas until April 4.

Resolution No. 104 also banned all mass gatherings, including religious gatherings, to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)