PNP chief: No fear, favor in INC-linked 'kidnapping'

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ricardo Marquez on Monday vowed that the investigation on police officers involved in the alleged abduction of former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II will not favor religion.

Marquez, speaking to reporters in a televised press conference, said the PNP leadership will enforce the law "without fear or favor."

"Hindi naman pinaguusapan 'yung race, creed or religion dito sa trabaho ng Philippine National Police. If somebody violates the law, then the PNP reacts accordingly, enforces the law, maintains peace and order, that's our mandate," he said.

Marquez added that he will task the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to watch the video where Menorca claimed being abducted by ranking members of the influential religious organization.

"I will ask the director of CIDG to watch the video so that we'll find out if indeed our officers are involved one way or the other in the alleged abduction," Marquez said.

Menorca claimed that members of Quezon City Police allegedly kidnapped him and threatened him with death before he was detained for three months at the INC compound.

He said he and his wife, Jingky, were kidnapped in Bulan, Sorsogon by Quezon City policemen on July 17 after a church service. The policemen were heavily armed and were also members of the INC, Menorca claimed.

READ: Cops tagged in ‘kidnap’ of INC couple

Marquez said the PNP is determined "to make sure that appropriate actions are instituted, implemented against our people who are involved in any illegal activity and we will coordinate with the complainants."

"From the very beginning, 'yan ang mga sinabi natin, we reward the performers but we should be very, very hard on those who violate the law and betray their oath and don't commit to the call of service," he said.