The police authorities arrested a pastor in Caloocan City for his lascivious behavior towards a minor Church member.
Michael Moreno or known as Pastor Mike was apprehended at his home in Tanigue Street, Barangay Dagat-Dagatan. The victim claimed that she endured unwanted advances and abuse from the hands of the religious leader.
Pastor Arrested for Lascivious Behavior Towards Minor Church Member
Police Officers Arrest Pastor Over Acts of Lasciviousness Case
PHILIPPINES – A pastor in Caloocan City was arrested for his lascivious behavior towards a minor Church member.
The pastor has been identified as Michael Moreno, known among his congregation as Pastor Mike. He was arrested at his residence on Tanigue Street, Barangay Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City.
The religious leader was apprehended based on a warrant issued for acts of lasciviousness. The accusations stem from disturbing allegations made by a minor member of his congregation. According to the Manila Police District’s District Special Operations Unit, the incident allegedly happened in 2019 when the victim was just 15 years old.
The victim revealed how she was initially persuaded by her former teacher, who was romantically involved with the accused, to join their religious sect.
The young woman detailed how, during her visits to the church, when her teacher would leave her alone with the accused, she endured unwanted advances and abuse. Initially, this manifested as inappropriate touching, but there were instances when she would wake up to find herself undressed.
DSOU-MPD Police Major Edward Samonte recounted the victim’s distressing experiences; “Noong una mga panghihipo lang, tapos meron daw na pagkakataon na nagigising na lang siya na nakahubad siya.”
Pastor Moreno denied the accusations of malicious abuse. He claimed that he had been in a consensual relationship with the victim and was unaware of her age. “Hindi ko po itinatanggi na may nangyari sa amin sapagkat sa tagal po ng pagkakilala namin nitong babae ay nagkaroon kami ng relasyon,” Moreno reiterated.
However, he then admitted that after learning the victim’s age, he distanced himself from her, demonstrating his awareness of the indecency of their relationship.
Previously, Church leaders defend pastor who allegedly demands “Ford Raptor” as birthday gift
“Nung nalaman ko (na menor de edad), huli na po kaya po ako lumayo. Ako po ay umiwas na,” he added.
The social media users expressed their reactions to this pastor’s action:
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