MANILA, Philippines — An expelled minister of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Tuesday claimed that the sect's Sanggunian, or council, is using its members as "shields."
In a telephone interview with ANC's Headstart, Isaias Samson Jr. said that he is not sure if he is open to meeting with the Sanggunian.
"I know who they are, what they can do and they will do just to protect themselves... In the past days they have lied to people, they used the name of Bro. Eduardo Manalo in order to make the members of the church follow them and they even made the members of the church to shield them," Samson said.
The expelled minister added that the Sanggunian sent two of its members to the United States to talk with some of the INC's members who supposedly have grievances against alleged corruption in the sect.
He added that the Sanggunian has also been contacting its members that they have previously expelled.
Samson clarified, however, that he is not going against the church nor its executive minister but he is going against the corruption "being rampantly committed by the Sanggunian."
"If there's something that happens to me, so be it. I believe it is God's will as long as I have my life and my strength. I will continue to fight against corruption, Samson said.
Samson earlier filed an illegal detention case against eight leaders of the religious organization, claiming that he and his family were placed under house arrest.
Members of the INC held a protest from Thursday to Monday against the investigation into possible criminal acts by some of its top leaders.
According to INC general evangelist Bienvenido Santiago, the religious sect has come to an "understanding" with the government.
Malacañang insisted that rule of law prevailed in the INC's decision to end its five-day protest which sparked public outrage for causing heavy traffic in Metro Manila.
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