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But we doubt if this would end the debacle.
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) has junked the criminal charges filed against leaders of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) by expelled minister Isaias Samson Jr. and his family,” reports Edu Punay in The Philippine Star.
In a resolution released on Mon, Nov 16, the DOJ dismissed the charges of harassment, illegal detention, threats and coercion filed against eight members of the INC council by Samson, his wife Myrna Dionela and son Isaiah.
The report explained that “DOJ prosecutors Olivia Torevillas and Mark Roland Estepa found no probable cause in the charges after conducting preliminary investigation.”
“Samson failed to offer an iota of evidence on the matter of intimidation, confiscation of his passport, service vehicle, laptop, cellphone and other personal effects,” the DOJ resolution read.
The DOJ added that “there was no evidence of physical harm or any form of intimidation against Samson or members of his family.”
Thus, the following INC officials were declared clear of the charges: Glicero Santos Jr., Radel Cortez, Bienvenido Santiago Sr., Mathusalem Pareja, Maximo Bularan Jr., Rolando Esguerra, Eraño Codera, and Rodelio Cabrerra.
Moreover, the DOJ also dismissed the complaint filed against the INC leaders by expelled member Jose Norlito Fruto. In a separate resolution, the same panel of prosecutors indicated that they “found no probable cause in Fruto’s complaint for illegal arrest and arbitrary detention.”
Photo: News clip
