People vs. Reyes, et.al. C.A.-G.R. No.

13633-R, July 27, 1955

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 of the sect read from the Bible and then delivered a
sermon, in the course of which he attacked the Catholic and Aglipayan churches. 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.

Ruling:

The act of the Chief of Police is not a violation of Article 132, but of Article 131 (Prohibition, Interruption, and
Dissolution of peaceful meetings). The Chief of Police who ordered the speaker in a public meeting of the Iglesia ni
Cristo, then attacking Catholic and Aglipayan Churches, to stop and fired two shots in the air in which dispersed the
crowd and stopped the meeting, is liable under Article 131.

Art. 131. 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. 49 The same penalty shall be imposed upon
a 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.

Art. 132. 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.