Leaders of various religious groups in Negros Occidental called on the Lord to cast out what they called the evil and the wickedness that is in Malacañang at an interfaith rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza yesterday afternoon.

The call was made by Pastor Emilio Henares of the River of Life Church at the rally for truth, justice and righteousness attended by about 3,000 people, most of whom were students. The crowd failed to surpass the 10,000 at a Bacolod rally on Monday as expected by Henares Thursday.

Catholic, Protestant and Philippine Independent Church pastors and priests prayed for the nation, government officials, the president, military, witnesses and righteous leaders at the plaza and held a solidarity march to the Provincial Capitol Lagoon for the casting out of evil in government, releasing of doves and singing of Bayan Ko.

Leading the crowd in casting the evil out of the present administration, Henares invoked for divine intervention and for miracles that will remove the President out of Malacañang.

He said that evil spirits are controlling and manipulating the people who occupy high positions in the government into doing atrocities against the people.

The leaders of the religious groups also signed an interfaith collegial statement, which condemns the present administration and those who support it.

In calling for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation, religious leaders said public tolerance had made a monster out of the president and her subordinates who put the entire nation on the pedestal of mockery and embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra lauded all the religious leaders for the initiative that expressed the righteous indignation of the people against graft and corruption and acts of dishonesty in the present government.

The immediate resignation of the president, Navarra said, can save the Filipino people from further destruction and will pave the way for recovery and progress.

Among those who joined in the interfaith rally yesterday were members of the cause-oriented groups BAYAN-Negros, Partido ng Manggagawa, and Kilusang Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya.

Felipe Gelle of BAYAN said the prophets have spoken through the priests and pastors of the churches who hear the cries of suffering of the oppressed masses.

The government can expect more protests, in various forms, small and big, held not only in usual areas but also in workplaces, churches and schools, he said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the KPPD, which cited the moral bankruptcy of the administration and its insensitivity to the plight of the people.

The group said that it will be the united and collective action of the people that can put an end to the corrupt and repressive Arroyo administration.*NAB

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