A minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) based in Staten Island, New York, was arrested on Thursday in a joint operation between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the nonprofit group Protect Our Children, which targets online child predators.
The suspect, identified as Glensalvador Payabyab, a minister under INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, was taken into custody in New Springville after allegedly attempting to meet what he believed was a 12-year-old girl in a parking lot. According to officials, the girl was actually an undercover agent posing as a minor.
Operating under the alias “Glendor,” Payabyab had allegedly been in communication with the decoy via text messages before arranging the meeting. The sting operation culminated in his arrest at the agreed-upon location, where authorities were waiting.
Both the NYPD and Protect Our Children have stated that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend individuals preying on minors online. Charges against Payabyab are expected to include attempted child enticement and other related offenses.
The Iglesia ni Cristo has not yet released a statement regarding the arrest.
More details are expected as the investigation unfolds.