More charges filed against INC leaders

Ces Drilon, ABS-CBN News

Posted at Aug 29 2015 01:07 AM | Updated as of Aug 29 2015 09:27 AM

MANILA - Another expelled member has filed a case against the powerful council of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Even before the INC's protest vigil started, Lito Fruto managed to file a complaint of harassment against the leadership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo before the Department of Justice.

In his sworn statement filed on Wednesday, Fruto said the INC's 12-member Sanggunian Harassed him by ordering his arrest.

Fruto said the arrest order was without basis and was filed on the strength of an alleged trumped up rape case against him.

He also said the judge in the rape case, who also slapped Fruto with a hold departure order, was a member of the INC.

According to Fruto, he was harassed by the INC leadership when he tried to help Angel and Lottie Manalo, siblings of current INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo.

A few weeks ago, Angel released a video asking for help from the INC brethren. Angel said he, his other siblings and their mother were in danger.

Meanwhile, a former INC minister who resigned from the church aired an appeal to his co-members.

Farley de Castro told ABS-CBN that he was not against the whole church and the leadership of Manalo.

"Di po kami lumalaban sa kapatid na Eduardo Manalo, kami po ay tumutulong sa kanila, i-restore ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa original na kalagayan n’ya na ang naghahari ay ang mga aral ng Diyos"

De Castro is now in hiding, and said he is being threatened by the INC leadership.