Ka Eduardo expels mother, sister, 2 brothers from INC
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), the second largest religion in the country took a double whammy as it prepares for the 101st founding anniversary on Monday, with the scions of its founder, Felix Manalo, figuring in a feud that could threaten the sect’s much vaunted unity.
Executive Minister Edu-
ardo Manalo, who succeeded his late father, Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo, as head of the sect, made a swift move to expel his mother, Cristina or “Ka Tenny”; elder sister Lottie and younger brothers Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo and Marco, also known as Ka Mark.
Like their father, Eduardo and Angel are both ministers of the INC.
The expulsion was announced to the media yesterday by Bienvenido Santiago, INC evangelist general, following reports that Ka Tenny and Angel posted Tuesday night a 1:54-minute video on YouTube claiming that their lives are in danger.
“Kaya masakit man sa loob ng kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo ay ipinasiya nila na itiwalag iyong mga lumikha ng mga pagkakabaha-bahagi sa Iglesia (While the move hurts Ka Eduardo V. Manalo, he was compelled to expel those who are promoting divisiveness in INC),” stated Santiago in a video tape distributed to mediamen yesterday.
Announcement of the expulsion of the Manalos was immediately made at the INC Central at 1:30 p.m. yesterday. Under the INC regulations, the announcement of the expulsion was to be announced in all church services starting last night.
The apparent family feud among the Manalos was reported as the INC figured in another controversy that surrounded the decision of immigration authorities to hold American rapper Chris Brown the other day. The INC has charged Brown for reneging on his contractual obligations to perform during the New Year celebration of the religious sect at the Philippine Arena last year. (Read separate story)
An INC source said the sect’s officials were not aware that Angel and Ka Tenny had arrived in the country, having been residents of the United States for over a year now.
Apparently, the feud among the founder’s scions started at the time mother and son left the country.
‘Our lives are in danger’ In their YouTube appeal, Ka Tenny and Angel claimed their lives are in danger. Both were reportedly at their residence located at the INC Central compound in Quezon City when they recorded the video.
“Nananawagan po kami sa inyo dahil nanganganib ang aming buhay. Sana’y tulungan nyo kami (We are appealing to you because our lives are in danger. Please help us),” Angel said, addressing his INC brethren.
“Ako’y nananawagan sa aming mga kapatid sa Iglesia na tulungan ninyo kami dahil may panganib sa aming buhay. Saklolohan niyo ang aking mga anak, si Angel at Lottie at ang kanilang mga kasama. Tulungan niyo rin ang mga ministro na dinukot at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nakikita. Kaawaan natin sila at ang kanilang pamilya (I am appealing to our brethren in the church to help us because thee is a threat to our lives. Please rescue my children Angel and Lottie and their companions. Help also ministers who have been abducted and are still missing. Have pity on them and their family),” stated a voice over of a woman who introduced herself as the widow of Ka Erdy. Ka Erdy, who has been credited for the growth and the influence of the INC. Ka Erdy died on August 30, 2009.
Santiago vehemently denied allegations aired by Angel and Ka Tenny, stressing that the INC has nothing to do with the accusations.
“Ang basa namin doon sa ipinahayag nila sa kagabi sa YouTube ay ibig lamang nilang makakuha ng mga tao na magsisimpatiya sa kanila para sa ganoon ay makuha nila iyong talagang gusto nila na mapakialaman ang pamamahala sa Iglesia (We interpret their statement last night at You Tube that they merely want people to sympathize with them so that they will get what they want which is to interfere in the management of the Iglesia),” said Santiago, who also acts as INC spokesman.
Santiago added: “Dapat malaman ng lahat na ang Iglesia ay hindi isang korporasyon na pampamilya. Ito ay isang relihiyon na ang sinusunod ay ang mga patakaran at mga aral ng Diyos na nakasulat sa Bibliya (Everybody should understand that the Iglesia is not a family corporation. This is a religion that follows rules and the teachings of God as written in the Bible)”
Upon learning about the appeal of Ka Tenny and Angel, members of the influential religious group trooped to the house of the Manalo family in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. A photo taken by Manila Bulletin photographer yesterday showed a person displaying from one of the windows of the Manalo home in tandang Sora. One of the messages stated, “Where are the missing ministers?”
Members at a loss
Sarah Manuel, 34, an INC member, said she went to the Manalo residence after viewing the video.
“Naiyak ako nung nakita ko ang video. Nakakatakot at di namin naintindihan ang nangyayari (I cried when I saw the video. It’s scary and we do not even understand the situation,” Manuel said during an interview.
She, however, do not believe there is a rift among members of the Manalo family.
“Ayoko maniwala sa mga tsismis kasi ever since, eh, maayos ang Iglesia, sarado ang utak ko sa ganyan. Talagang ang basehan ko lang eh ang video kahapon. Humihingi ng tulong at gusto lang namin tulungan kung mailalabas namin sila at madadala sa iba nilang kamag-anak (I don’t want to believe in rumors as our church has no problems ever since. But they asked for help, so all that we want to do is extend assistance and take them to other relatives’ homes),” added Manuel, who was wearing a white arm band to signify peace and cleanliness, the INC’s symbol.
Another INC member, Shirley Rosal, 47, from Bulacan, claimed she saw a person holding a tarpaulin at one of the windows of the Manalo residence at 1 p.m. Thursday, asking for help.
Rosal also said there were initially 12 missing ministers, but two were already accounted for. She speculated that there is a third party involved in the situation, reiterating that the INC is a peaceful religion and that they would never turn against their own brothers.
As of now, witnesses are unsure on how many people are inside the Manalo residence.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), meanwhile, said it has not received any formal complaint or report of the alleged abduction of INC ministers and the alleged threat on the lives of Angel and Ka Tenny.
‘Hostage’ escapes
But Isaias Samson, the editor-inchief of the INC publication, confirmed the abductions following his escape.
Samson said sect members do not anymore know whom to trust. He said INC members are everywhere.
He told ABS-CBN that he had just come from the INC Central compound in Quezon City last week when he was abducted by armed men and placed under house arrest.
He is being accused by the INC leadership of writing a blog reportedly spilling acts of corruption within the sect. The blog, Iglesia Ni Cristo – Silent No More, was written by one Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista. Samson denies the charge.
Samson said he saw the opportunity to escape from his captors when he attended church services yesterday.
A sect minister, Samson has since been suspended from his ministerial duties.
The blog said nine ministers have been abducted and moved to secret locations.
Ministers and family members were reportedly asked to surrender their passports to the Central Office to ensure that they will not be able to leave country should they decide to escape, according to the blog.
As news about the abduction of INC ministers went viral yesterday, the INC issued a statement denying the allegation. (With reports from Chito A. Chavez and Zoe Santamaria)