DOJ orders probe on alleged abductions in INC

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation on the alleged abductions and threats against some of the members of the Manalo family and ministers of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

Tenny and Angel Manalo, mother and brother of executive minister Eduardo Manalo, earlier released a video asking for help and claiming that their lives were in danger.

The religious organization expelled Tenny and Angel, denying their claims and insisting that they were only trying to gain sympathy in order to get back to power.

Despite ordering a probe on the said allegations, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima clarified that the government cannot intervene in the internal conflict within INC.

According to reports, De Lima received three emails from an anonymous member of INC before the announcement of the expulsion of Tenny and Angel.

The said emails came from an email address of "[email protected]," containing accusations against INC council auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. and INC secretary Radel Cortez. The second email contained the controversial video of Tenny and Angel.

Angel on Friday morning expressed his disappointment over the alleged corruption in the religious group and called for a vigil outside the Manalo home as a form of protest.

On the other hand, the Quezon City Police District denied reports that some of the members of the Manalo family were being held hostage inside their own house.

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