Año says PNP investigating health protocol violation during El Shaddai gathering

December 28, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the city government of Parañaque are investigating the alleged violation of minimum health standard of the religious group El Shaddai over the weekend.

In a radio interview, Año said they identified some organizers in El Shaddai’s “Family Appointment” event at their founder, Mike Velarde, House of Prayer in Amvel City of Faith in Parañaque City.

Hundreds of devotees were seen in the event as they live streamed it in their social media account.

“We already have joint investigation including the LGU and PNP against these violators,” he said.

Año said mayors have no control over the actions of every individual and the violation of the group should not be blamed on the LGU.

“We cannot punish the mayor over the violation of this group… So we will find out what happened,” he said.

Año said Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez sent a letter to top officials of El Shaddai asking them to explain the incident.

“We will just wait what will happen on this investigation. Actually there is already precedent. They gathered without asking permission from the LGU of Parañaque. So that is one factor because there is no exemption during pandemic,” he said.

Año said these gatherings will have an effect as some attendees might be asymptomatic and might infect El Shaddai members.

As for the influx of shoppers in Divisoria last December 23 and 24, Año said the City of Manila is investigating this.

0e said it is unfair to heads of the cities if they will be blamed for these incidents.

“They are doing their job and we will make sure we will do this together and those who are responsible will be held liable,” Año said. Ella Dionisio/DMS