Alleged religious group members attempt to extort P50 million from candidate

Six suspects who presented themselves as members of a religious group were arrested after attempting to extort P50 million from a congressional candidate, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday.

Authorities apprehended the suspects and identified their leader as Amelito Dela Cruz, who presented himself as minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

Negros Oriental Representative Arnulfo Teves said the suspects communicated with him last November 2021 and presented themselves as officials of the religious group. They promised to endorse him in the elections in exchange for a significant amount of money.

He said the suspects recently changed the amount of money that they wanted and asked him for his payment.

“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],” Teves said.

(They messaged me recently because of the news about my son and said we're just here and we need to negotiate because the election is near. They demanded about P50 million and asked for a down payment of P25 million.)

Teves immediately sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“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,” NBI ARD Noel Bocaling said.

(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.)

The suspects refused to give a 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,” NBI Director Eric Distor said.

(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.)

— Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA News