'Despite galactic alignment, world will not end today'

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) dismissed yesterday as superstition the prediction that a major planetary conjunction or alignment of planets today would trigger massive earthquakes.

Jose Mendoza of PAGASA’s Space Science and Astronomy section said people would be able to see with the naked eye the alignment of the planets Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Neptune at the eastern horizon before sunrise today.

In its monthly astronomical diary, PAGASA said the planetary alignment will occur at 5 a.m.

“The planetary line up rarely happens but it has no effect on earth,” Mendoza said.

He said the planetary conjunction, or what astrologers and doomsayers call the “galactic alignment,” falls on Friday the 13th, which is considered unlucky by many people.

Mendoza assured the people that the plenary conjunction “will not have an effect on earth.”

“The galactic alignment has no scientific explanation,” he said.

“We should not believe this (end of the world scenario). These people are just creating chaos, stories, entertainment,” Mendoza said.

He claimed that these “cultists” are making money by selling compact discs and books, and have created a website to ask for donations.

CBCP warns of false prophecy

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Media Office director Monsignor Pedro

Quitorio III also advised the public not to believe the prophecy that May 21, 2011 would be the end of the world.

Quitorio issued the statement amid news reports that supporters of the Family Radio have been going around the country to spread the word that Judgment Day is eight days away.

He said that the public should not believe the doomsday prophecy.

“What they are spreading that May 21 is the end of the world is not true. There have been a lot of people who have been claiming to know when is the end of the world. But in the Bible, it is written that it is only God the Father who knows the end of the world,” said Quitorio. 

He added that “if the people could not even predict when an earthquake would strike, how much more the end of the world.”

The CBCP official said when Judgment Day comes the people should just treat it as an ordinary day. 

As for these doomsayers, he said there was no legal reason to stop them because they did not commit any crime. The only recourse is for the people not to believe these bogus predictions.

Supporters of Family Radio were seen along the streets of Manila distributing pamphlets to passersby with warnings of the impending Judgment Day.

In the Philippines, there are about four teams, each comprising four Family Radio supporters, going around the country.

They reportedly claimed that the destruction would come through an earthquake.