Malacañang says DOJ may continue probe on Iglesia ni Cristo 'abductions'

Malacañang on Sunday said the Department of Justice may continue to investigate the alleged abductions of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) ministers.

 

"Kasama sa mandato ng Department of Justice 'yung pagsisiyasat sa indibidwal o organisasyon na nasasangkot o maaaring sangkot sa posibleng paglabag sa batas," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told state-run radio dzBB.

 

Coloma was reacting to lawyer Harry Roque's statement that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima should stop the National Bureau of Investigation's investigation on the alleged abductions of INC ministers.

 

Roque said that De Lima should not investigate the allegations "in the absence of a complainant."

 

The lawyer added that De Lima may be violating the constitutional right of freedom of religion by intervening into the internal affairs of the religious sect.

 

Coloma said that the DOJ may continue its investigation as long as there is evidence or cause to pursue a case in the courts.

 

"Nakapaloob 'yan sa awtoridad ng Department of Justice," the communications secretary said.

 

Allegations that several ministers of the INC have been abducted surfaced following the circulation of a video where Angel Manalo and Cristina "Tenny" Villanueva Manalo, brother and mother of INC leader Eduardo Manalo, claimed that their lives are in danger. —ALG, GMA News