'EDSA Tayo' organizers fail to muster 5,000

MANILA, Philippines - The organizers of the "EDSA Tayo" failed to gather 5,000 people for the prayer vigil that started from morning to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

The organizers, however, were still thankful that no untoward incidents happened during the vigil.

"Kick off pa lamang ito...pwedeng po tayong magparamdam sa kani-kanilang komunidad. Nagpapasalamat tayo na walang untoward incidents na nangyari," Junep Ocampo, co-organizer, told reporters after the event.

The crowd which only numbered in less than 500 before noon, attracted mostly vendors who peddled their merchandise in the vicinity of the EDSA Shrine.

Police said that the crowd peaked to 850 in the afternoon, contrary to earlier reports that it was more than 1,000 people.

The prayer vigil followed the "Million People March" at the Luneta Park last August 26.

The march was set against the P10-billion pork barrel scam, where businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles was tagged as mastermind. Several lawmakers, including senators, have also been implicated to the fund mess.

Two days after the Luneta Park protest, Napoles surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III.

Napoles is currently detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. She is facing a case of serious illegal detention filed against her and her brother Reynald Lim by their former employee and pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Manhunt operations are ongoing for the arrest of Napoles' brother, who has a P5-million bounty on his head.

The Department of Justice said that it may file charges against Napoles regarding the pork barrel scam by Monday.