QCPD chief Pagdilao: 'No abduction' situation in Manalo compound

Police Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said he and his fellow police officers who went to the Manalo housing compound late Thursday evening did not find any indication of any "abduction" situation affecting the residents.

Pagdilao, director of the Quezon City Police District, told news media gathered outside the Manalo residence that the occupants of the house are safe.

"Bale nagpapasalamat tayo dahil dumungaw si Angel, at yun nga, medyo maliit lang yung dungaw na ibinigay niya sa atin. Ang pinaka-importante ay nakausap natin sila," he said.

He repeatedly said that the situation seemed to be an internal matter for the Iglesia ni Cristo and the Manalo family.

QCPD Chief Supt. Pagdilao, nakausap si Ka Angel Manalo at siniguro na ligtas silang lahat sa loob ng bahay. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/Z2dABRxnvj

— James Agustin ??? (@_jamesagustin) July 23, 2015

Mayor Herbert Bautista, who said he was at the scene for a personal update, said that the local government and the police will monitor the situation, but also repeatedly said that it is an internal matter.

Earlier, a spokesman of the Iglesia ni Cristo said the church has "no control" over the residential area, where the apparently estranged relatives of the church's Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo had claimed they were held against their will.