According to a reporter’s broadcast on Saturday, six individuals who identified themselves as members of a religious group were caught after attempting to extort P50 million from a congressional candidate.
The suspects were arrested, and their commander was identified as Amelito Dela Cruz, who presented himself as a pastor of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
Arnulfo Teves, Negros Oriental Representative, alleged that on November 20, 2021, the suspects connected with him and presented themselves as representatives of the religious group. They promised to back him in the elections in exchange for a considerable amount of money.
He stated that the suspects suddenly revised the amount of money they desired and requested payment from him.
“Kailan lang nangamusta sila sa akin dahil diba yung may balita tungkol sa anak ko, nangamusta sila sa akin sabi nila andito lang kami parang sabi nila kailangan niyo na mag-negotiate dahil malapit na ang eleksyon. Ang hiningi na nila ay P50 million na magdown daw ako ng P25 [million],” (“Recently they greeted me because they didn’t have news about my son, they greeted me they said we were just here as if they said you need to negotiate because the election is near. They have already demanded P50 million for me to drop P25 [million], ”) Teves stated.
“Nagpapakilalang ministro at apo ng executive minister ng INC we further verify the information. Nalaman ko hindi nga totoo, dahil wala namang ministro na ganoon ang pangalan. Noong nakausap ko yung isang member ng Iglesia ni Cristo talagang nagulat din sila dahil wala namang ganyan. Ang favorable endorsement ng Iglesia sabi nila is by the spirit, hindi for sale,” information. (“He was introduced as the minister and grandson of the executive minister of the INC. We further verify the information. I found out that this was not true, because there was no minister with that name. When I talked to a member of INC, they were also really surprised because the Church only gave a favorable endorsement by the spirit. It was not for sale”) NBI ARD Noel Bocaling stated.
The suspects refused to make an official statement.
“Inaalam na natin kung sino pa ang iba pang kasabwat ng grupong ito sa kanilang modus na religious endorsement scam para sa eleksyon na ito. At bukas ang tanggapan natin para tumanggap ng reklamo laban sa mga grupong ating inaresto,” (“We are already finding out who else is the other accomplice of this group in their religious endorsement scam for this election. And our office is open to receiving complaints against the groups we arrested”) NBI Director Eric Distor stated.
