NBI probes INC fiasco with prudence - DOJ

A preliminary probe by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the crisis, allegations and threats hounding Iglesia ni Cristo has started but investigators failed to gather information as of Friday.In television and radio reports, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima said she ordered the NBI to conduct initial investigation on allegations of abduction and threats against unnamed INC officials and members.De Lima told reporters he received an email from a sender using the email-ad kapatidsaiglesia. The email was asking DOJ for help for members of Erano Ka Erdy Manalo's family and to about 10 INC ministers who were allegedly abducted or being held hostage. Tulungan nyo po kami nanganganib po ang buhay ng pamilya ni Ka Erdy. May 10 ministro na dinukot hanggang ngayon di pa nakikita, mga taga Sanggunian ng Iglesia nasa likod nito sa pangungunana ni Glicerio Santos, Jr. at Radel Cortez. Tulungan po ninyo kami, parang awa nyo na, the sender said. De Lima furnished the media with the letter's prinouts.Both Santos and Cortez were members of council of advisers of current INC head, Eduardo Manalo, brother of Nathaniel and son of Christina Manalo. Both Nathaniel (aka Angel) and Christina were tiniwalag (expelled) by Eduardo Manalo on the advise of the council.De Lima told reporters that the matter was internal to the INC and involves family members but it does not follow the government cannot intervene.She explained the NBI can probe if there are complaints of corruption of private funds or any other crime.Angel, in a statement to media, has said he and her mother were being held hostage. Later in the evening Thursday, he said, there was no abduction but appealed to INC members to gather in front of the Manalo's house in Tandang Sora, Quezon City for a vigil.He said the council of advisers of his elder brother live lavishly using luxury cars and receive money from political parties for INC votes during elections.But Bro. Edwil Zabala, speaking for the INC, claimed all the allegations ofAngel were baseless and product of his wild imagination.He denied allegations of corruption and malversation of INC money by its current leaders. Zabala pointed out the INC is not a family corporation but a religious organization.