Detained ‘Pasugo’ editor escapes, slams INC higher-ups’ ‘sins’

A SUSPENDED minister placed under house arrest confirmed that there are issues of corruption that mar the current leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

“Gusto ko ang tungkulin ko bilang ministro pero hindi ako makapaglilingkod kung ang nasa itaas ko ay nagpapatupad nang hindi katotohanan at mali,” said Isaias Samson Jr., former editor in chief of Pasugo, official publication of INC, at a press conference.

He was accused of hiding behind the pseudonym “Antonio Evangelista” who writes a blog exposing alleged anomalies in Iglesia ni Cristo.

“Nang tanungin ko kung bakit ipinipilit nilang ako si Antonio Evangelista, ang paghahanay ng mga salita ay akin. Hindi ko tinanggap yon sapagkat hindi naman totoo pero pinipilit pa rin nila lalu na si Secretary General Radil Cortes at dahil doon, ako ay pinasyahan na suspendihin sa tungkulin,” Samson said.

Although he insisted that he is not Evangelista, he said he was suspended last week, removed from his position as editor in chief and placed under house arrest.

“They got our cellular phones, our laptop computers and my passport,” Samson said adding that there were guards in their compound. He said visitors are prohibited except members of the Sanggunian (Council of Elders).

“It was a torture. We do not know what is going on outside. We didn’t know what they planned to do,” Samson said. He said he feared for his wife’s health who has a heart condition.

He said Sanggunian Minister Rolando Esguerra visited him and told him that he will be interviewed and belie all that was written by Evangelista as well as the abduction of ministers.

Samson said there was resentment among the INC ministers because of the “wrongs” committed by some Church officials.

He cited as an example the Worldwide Walk, a fund raising activity to help victims of typhoon Yolanda.

“Syempre may fund raising at isang paraan ay yung T-shirt halimbawa ang halaga [nito] ay P250. Ngayon, marami ring mahihirap na kaanib ng Iglesia,” Samson said because of that, the Ministers and Manggagawa were required to shoulder the unsold T-shirts.

“Hindi naman mayayaman ang mga Ministro at manggagawa at kung meron mang tinatanggap na tulong mula sa Iglesia ay hindi naman napakalaki,” he added.

He also mentioned of the project “Lingap Bigas” where a sack of rice was sold for P1,950 when the actual cost was only P1,700.

“Mayroong corruption na nangyayari at ang totoo may iba pa pero allow me to keep quiet na lang,” he said although he hinted that what he revealed was only the tip of the iceberg.

Samson and his family managed to escape Thursday morning when they went out to go to Church.

After the guard called someone on his phone, Samson said they were allowed to leave. When they noticed that no one was following them, Samson said they took the opportunity to escape.

For now, he said he is still thinking of whether to file a complaint or not.

Originally posted: 08:32 PM July 23rd, 2015