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No one is being held hostage inside the Manalo house in Tandang Sora, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Joel Pagdilao said late Thu night, Jul 23.
Pagdilao, who arrived in the area around 11pm, said he has spoken to Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo.
Manalo allegedly told him that they are safe and are not being held against their will.
He said that according to Angel, he, his family, and his siblings’ Lottie and Beth’s families, are safe and are in good condition.
He also allegedly denied being either abducted or held against their will.
Although he wanted to investigate the situation further, Pagdilao said they cannot go further as Angel refused to allow police come inside the house.
“Internal matter ito. We do not meddle with private affairs,” Pagdilao said.
Iglesia ni Cristo spokesman Edwil Zabala said they are allowing the police to enter the premises of the compound, as it is a property of INC.
He added, however, that one of the houses has been assigned to the family of the late Eraño Manalo — father of Angel — and that they have no control over the gate and door of said house.
“Wala kaming control sa gate, wala kaming control sa pintuan, ang housing unit ay nakaassign sa mga naitiwalag,” Zabala said.
Zabala denied allegations of corruption and abduction against the INC leaders, challenging Angel and his mother Tenny to tell the truth.
“Kung sila po ay held against their will, ito na po ang pagkakataon para sila ay humingi ng tulong,” he added.
Aside from Pagdilao, Quezon City police station 3 commander Supt. Ariel Capocao and Mayor Herbert Bautista also went to the scene to monitor the situation.
Text: Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBNnews.com
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
