This document summarizes a court case from 1955 regarding the disruption of a public meeting of the Iglesia ni Cristo church by the Chief of Police. During the meeting, the church minister criticized other religious groups and was ordered by the Chief of Police to stop. When he refused, the Chief of Police fired two warning shots to disperse the crowd and end the meeting. The court held that the Chief's actions violated Article 131 of the Revised Penal Code regarding the prohibition or interruption of peaceful meetings, not Article 132 regarding the interruption of religious worship.
This document summarizes a court case from 1955 regarding the disruption of a public meeting of the Iglesia ni Cristo church by the Chief of Police. During the meeting, the church minister criticized other religious groups and was ordered by the Chief of Police to stop. When he refused, the Chief of Police fired two warning shots to disperse the crowd and end the meeting. The court held that the Chief's actions violated Article 131 of the Revised Penal Code regarding the prohibition or interruption of peaceful meetings, not Article 132 regarding the interruption of religious worship.
This document summarizes a court case from 1955 regarding the disruption of a public meeting of the Iglesia ni Cristo church by the Chief of Police. During the meeting, the church minister criticized other religious groups and was ordered by the Chief of Police to stop. When he refused, the Chief of Police fired two warning shots to disperse the crowd and end the meeting. The court held that the Chief's actions violated Article 131 of the Revised Penal Code regarding the prohibition or interruption of peaceful meetings, not Article 132 regarding the interruption of religious worship.
FACTS: The Iglesia ni Cristo held a meeting at a public plaza after securing a permit to do so from the mayor. The meeting started with some singing, after which the minister (Sanidad) of the sect read from the Bible and then delivered a sermon, in the course of which he attacked the Catholic and Aglipayan churches, as well as the women of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. The Chief of Police ordered his policemen to stop the minister. When the minister refused, the Chief of Police fired two shots in the air which dispersed the crowd and stopped the meeting. ISSUE: Whether or not the Chief of Police is liable under Article 132 (Interruption of religious worship) of the Revised Penal Code. HELD: The act of the Chief of Police is not a violation of Article 132 (Interruption of religious worship), but of Article 131 (Prohibition, interruption, and dissolution of peaceful meetings).
Reyes Book II, page 78: The Chief of Police who ordered the speaker in a public meeting of the Iglesia ni Cristo, then attacking the Catholic and Aglipayan churches, to stop and fired two shots in the air which dispersed the crowd and stopped the meeting, is liable under Article 131.
Article 131, RPC: Prohibition, interruption, and dissolution of peaceful meetings. The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who, without legal ground, shall prohibit or interrupt the holding of a peaceful meeting, or shall dissolve the same. The same penalty shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall hinder any person from joining any lawful association or from attending any of its meetings. The same penalty shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall prohibit or hinder any person from addressing, either alone or together with others, any petition to the authorities for the correction of abuses or redress of grievances. Article 132, RPC: Interruption of religious worship. The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall prevent or disturb the ceremonies or manifestations of any religion. If the crime shall have been committed with violence or threats, the penalty shall be prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods.