PNP chief orders probe into ex-Iglesia ni Cristo minister's abduction claims

(Updated 5:17 p.m.) Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to open an investigation into the claims of former Iglesia ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca that leaders of the religious group are involved in his alleged abduction.

A report on "News TV Live" on Monday quoted Marquez as saying that he has directed the CIDG to reach out to Menorca for his official statement.

"We will ask them to substantiate their complaints, allegations," the PNP chief.

Menorca has recanted an earlier statement denying that he and his wife and daughter were being held against his will by Iglesia ni Cristo officials.

In a press conference on Sunday, Menorca also claimed that three members of the Quezon City Police District were involved in his alleged abduction.

Marquez cited that the involvement of policemen in Menorca's alleged abduction did not come up in the prior investigations conducted by the CIDG and the Anti-Kidnapping Group.

"During that time wala pa yung perpective na ganito and I heard there is a video," he said. "I will ask the director of CIDG to watch the video so we will find out if indeed our officers are involved one way or another in the alleged abduction."

Menorca was detained by the Dasmariñas police for a week last July for illegal possession of explosives. He was released after the charges were dropped by the complainants.

The former Iglesia ni Cristo minister said he was forcibly taken from Sorsogon last July prior to his detention at the Dasmariñas Police Station.

After his release from the police station, Menorca surfaced with his wife and daughter and denied that he was abducted and being illegally detained at the Iglesia ni Cristo compound in Quezon City.

Last week, the former minister came forward and released a video where he said he was indeed abducted and detained.

In a statement sent to GMA News, lawyer Patricia-Ann Prodigalidad of the ACCRA law office said officials of the Iglesia ni Cristo were surprised and saddened by the statements issued by Menorca.

"They will address the allegations of Mr. Menorca in the proper venue, and are confident that if treated fairly by authorities, they will be given due process and the opportunity to establish their innocence and to clear their names," Prodigalidad said.

Meanwhile, the News TV Live report quoted Marquez as saying that if proven, police officers involved in the alleged abduction will face charges.

The PNP chief also reiterated that the police force will not be influenced by the religious group.

Last July, the Quezon City Police District said it was looking into reports that some of the church's ministers were abducted, after a video was uploaded online, featuring Tenny and Angel Manalo, mother and younger brother of Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, respectively.

In the video, the two Manalos asked for help and claimed that their lives were in danger. They were both expelled from the church for allegedly sowing disharmony among its members.

At the time, people inside the Manalo residence in Tandang Sora, Quezon City flashed messages that read: "Where are the missing ministers?"

Marquez had said that somebody had to step up and file complaints about the alleged abductions before authorities can take a step further. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News

Source:

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/541991/news/nation/pnp-chief-orders-probe-into-ex-iglesia-ni-cristo-minister-s-abduction-claims