PNP to probe 'police role' in ex-INC minster’s kidnap

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday vowed to probe the supposed involvement of several policemen in the alleged kidnapping and illegal detainment of former Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II.

PNP chief, Director General Ricardo Marquez said they will ask Menorca to provide proof, following claims of being abducted by several policemen and armed civilians from Sorsogon before being held captive by the influential church at its central compound in Quezon City for almost three months.

"The cleansing [of the] Philippine National Police is a daily activity. We continue to make sure that appropriate actions are instituted, implemented against our people who are involved in any illegal activity. We will coordinate with the complainants. We’ll ask them to substantiate their claims, their allegations," Marquez said

"From the very beginning, 'yan naman ang sinabi natin; we will reward the performers but we should be very, very hard on those who violated the law and betray their oath."

Menorca on Sunday said he had been abducted by several policemen and armed civilians after a church service in Bulan, Sorsogon on July 16.

"I was dragged by police officers, many civilians and men with long rifles and handguns. They surrounded our chapel just to be able to kidnap me. That was witnessed by a lot of people," Menorca said at a press conference.

Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who represents Menorca, said Saturday that the former INC minister was subjected to interrogation, threats and torture by the influential church as it held his family captive from July 25 to October 21, 2015.

Angeles also revealed that the rescue operations for Menorca had been delicate as there were members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the side of the INC.

The PNP has already tasked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to identify the policemen tagged in Menorca’s accusations.

Marquez also instructed CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong to secure a copy of the video of Menorca’s alleged abduction.

The PNP chief stressed that the national police force does not favor any religion.

“Ang ginagawa ng Philippine National Police, matagal na naming ginagawa ito, is law enforcement without fear or favor. Hindi naman pinag-uusapan ‘yung race, creed, religion dito sa trabaho ng Philippine National Police,” he stressed.

“If someone violates the law, then the PNP reacts accordingly. To enforce the law, maintain peace and order: that’s our mandate.”

Marquez had to earlier fend off rumors of being tied to the INC after the religious sect supposedly lobbied for his appointment as PNP chief.

He was dragged into the controversy after his name was mentioned in a blog post revealing alleged corrupt practices and other irregularities in the INC and the alleged abduction of INC ministers.

"How swiftly the wheels of injustice moved, in this case, only a day after the appointment of a new PNP chief in the person of Ricardo Marquez, whom the INC has lobbied hard for," read the July 18 blog post, written by an Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista.

Source:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/26/15/pnp-probe-police-role-ex-inc-minsters-kidnap