MANILA, Philippines - Two men who claimed to be members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) were arrested yesterday for allegedly trying to extort P50 million from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
The suspects, identified only as Ka Tony and Ka Rico, told UNA spokesman Toby Tiangco they would help convince the INC leaders to include two senatorial candidates who are lagging in political surveys in the INC’s list of bets for the May elections. The INC’s members follow the list of candidates endorsed by the religious group’s leaders.
Representatives of the INC went to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region’s office. They said the two suspects are not members of the INC.
“I’ve been a politician for 15 years now and I know the INC would not do that (demand money in exchange for their support),†Tiangco said in an interview with reporters.
Tiangco said that on Monday morning, he received a text message from Ka Tony offering his help to accommodate two of UNA senatorial candidates. He said they agreed to meet at a hotel in Mandaluyong City yesterday afternoon.
“We would like to sit down with you privately and confidentially regarding ways to boost chance for UNA lagging candidates. Boost the high for hopeful against Team PNoy. Please consider us giving 10 minutes of your time,†Tiangco said, quoting the text message.
Tiangco contacted an INC official and told him about the two men using their group to extort money. In return, the INC official gave Tiangco the go-signal to meet with the two men.
“As I met them, I immediately asked them about the process. Basta P50 million for two names. It was the time that the INC minister (and other officials) came in and introduced themselves,†he said.