Former 'Pasugo' editor alleges illegal detention by Iglesia ni Cristo leaders

Published July 23, 2015 7:23pm

(UPDATED 10:30 p.m.) A former editor of Iglesia ni Cristo's official publication is alleging that he was a victim of illegal detention.

Isaias Samson, Jr., who was editor-in-chief of Pasugo, told reporters in a press conference on Thursday that he was placed on house arrest after being suspended by church leadership.

The minister said that there have been reports of corruption involving the Sanggunian, the church's top council, but couldn't say if Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo was involved.

Samson said he was suspended by the Sanggunian last Thursday and put under house arrest in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

He said that he is being accused of being Antonio Ebanghelista, the man behind the blog "Iglesia Ni Cristo - Silent No More," which has been posting allegations against the church.

Samson said he and his family were prohibited from speaking with other people. His passport was confiscated and his home's telephone line was also cut off.

Samson added that the events took a toll on his wife's health. His family asked for her to be taken to a hospital, but a doctor was sent to their home instead.

He said that they were only able to escape earlier this morning when he asked to go to the church.

Viral video

Samson's allegations come a day after Manalo's brother and church leader Felix "Angel" Manalo and their mother Cristina "Tenny" Manalo featured in a viral video alleging that their lives were under threat.

Angel and Tenny along with their siblings Marco Eraño Villanueva Manalo and Lolita Manalo Hemedez were expelled by the church on Thursday in response to the video.

Samson has been a prominent personality within Iglesia ni Cristo, representing the church in the national day of prayer in 2014.

Abductions

In his news conference, Samson claimed there are around 10 other ministers who were abducted.

"Kung sa akin, nagawa nila iyon, bakit hindi nila magagawa doon sa kasama kong ministro at tsaka mga manggagawa. Ang alam ko na ang kanilang ginawa ay illegal detention. At ganoon din ang ginawa nila sa iba. Meron pang kidnapping iyan. Merong grave threat diyan at kung anu-ano pa," he said.

In its earlier press conference, Iglesia ni Cristo denied having a hand behind the alleged abductions.

One of the ministers who was allegedly abducted by his fellow church members turned out to be detained by the police in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Lowel Menorca II is the subject of a complaint by two construction workers after he allegedly threatened them with a grenade. Menorca’s lawyer, Allen Blair Boy of the New Era University Legal Aid, said he already asked his client if he was abducted.

Meanwhile, people inside the Manalo house in Tandang Sora flashed messages through windows amid the ongoing schism between members of the family.

A message from inside the Manalo house. Analy Labor

"Where are the missing ministers?" read the message posted on the window.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is validating reports that some of Iglesia ni Cristo's ministers have been abducted, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said, as he gave the assurance that the police force was "ready to respond" to the developing situation.

"Ang PNP will provide assistance to everybody who needs it, especially in this kind of situations and crimes affecting especially yung personal na problems ng bawat isa sa atin. We will be ready to respond to these kinds of problems," Mayor said.

"Then again, there are procedures that has to be taken, especially sa ganyang ka-sensitive na matters, the aggrieved party should be the one to report the matter to the police. Nevertheless, ito ay binigyan na natin ng attention, ang QCPD at AKG (Anti-Kidnapping Group) and as of now vine-verify nila situation," he added. —Trisha Macas/JST/NB/ELR, GMA News

Tags: isaiassamsonjr, iglesianicristo