What traffic impact did the protest cause in central Manila?

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Thousands of Iglesia Ni Cristo members protesting in Manila caused significant traffic disruptions.

Thousands of members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) religious sect gathered in Manila, leading to severe traffic congestion. As of 2pm, police estimated the crowd at approximately 12,000, with traffic severely impacted in the affected areas. Authorities anticipated the number of attendees to grow, suggesting traffic disruptions could persist into the evening.
Nature of the Protest and Mobilization

The gathering was described as a "lightning protest," with members being notified of the demonstration through text messages, phone calls, and Telegram around 9:00 pm the previous night. One protester, Rodel Gundrean, 56, emphasized the sect's unified nature, stating that "with just one command, everybody will follow." Another participant, Marc Raeden Quemada, 26, indicated he had been present since 6:00 am and intended to remain until instructed to leave.
Estimated Crowd Size and Traffic Situation

By 2pm, police officials estimated the crowd size to be around 12,000 individuals. This large congregation resulted in traffic remaining bottlenecked in the vicinity. Police spokeswoman Hazel Asilo indicated that the number of people was expected to increase, which would likely lead to continued traffic issues throughout the evening.
Underlying Reasons for the Protest

The protest was organized in response to the anticipated filing of graft charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a member of the INC and an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte. The charges are reportedly tied to his election campaign funds, specifically an alleged failure to declare 75 million pesos in unused campaign contributions. INC spokesman Edwil Zabala stated the church was advocating for "transparency" and that "selective justice is an injustice."

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What traffic impact did the protest cause in central Manila?

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