Protect Our Children: Predatory Religious Figures Must Be Held Accountable

A horrifying reminder unfolded this past week in Staten Island of how vulnerable our children can be—even in everyday, seemingly harmless settings like a local yard sale. According to police reports, a 12-year-old girl became the target of alleged predatory behavior by 43-year-old Glendon Salvador Payabyab, a man who lives just blocks away from where the child was innocently participating in the yard sale.

In a recorded video of his arrest, “Glen” referred to himself as affiliated with the Church of Christ. In the video below, you can see him wearing a suit and tie and a distinct pin worn by ministers of the Iglesia ni Cristo, a worldwide Filipino church under the leadership of Eduardo Manalo.

Authorities allege that after obtaining the child’s phone number, Payabyab began sending her a disturbing flurry of more than 20 sexually suggestive and explicit messages—some involving requests for photos and links to pornographic websites. Even more chilling: he knew exactly how old she was. Court documents claim Payabyab admitted to sending the texts and attempting to meet the girl in person, a plan he pursued until his arrest on Thursday.

Yet, despite the alarming nature of the allegations, Payabyab faces only a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

This is not just a legal failure—it’s a moral one.

Credits to owner of the video: PROTECT OUR CHILDREN (https://www.instagram.com/p.o.c.n.y/)

Religious Predators Must Be Exposed and Held Fully Accountable

Cases like this often emerge in communities where trusted religious figures or respected men of faith abuse their position to groom or exploit children. The moment adults—particularly those hiding behind religious titles—use trust and proximity to access minors, they become predators. Period.

Protecting children should be non-negotiable. Yet time and time again, we’ve seen communities, courts, and even families hesitate to pursue full justice when the accused holds religious or community clout. This must stop.

Predators who weaponize their faith or moral standing to manipulate children should not be met with misdemeanor charges—they should be met with the full weight of the law. No religious robe, title, or reputation should shield anyone from accountability.

A Mother’s Courage and a Community’s Response

Thanks to the unshakable vigilance of the 12-year-old’s mother, this case didn’t fall through the cracks. She not only discovered the explicit messages early but also took immediate action. Her partnership with Protect Our Children, a volunteer organization dedicated to keeping kids safe, played a pivotal role in tracking Payabyab and supporting law enforcement efforts. Together, they made sure he was arrested before he could do any more harm.

This is the kind of community response we need—swift, strategic, and centered on the child’s safety.

What Needs to Happen Now

1. Stronger Charges: The misdemeanor charge against Payabyab is insufficient. The justice system must pursue charges that reflect the severity of his actions and the trauma inflicted on the victim.
2. Institutional Accountability: The Iglesia ni Cristo must publicly address this incident and take concrete steps to protect children within their community. Silence or denial is complicity.
3. Support for Victims: The 12-year-old girl and her family must receive ongoing counseling, legal support, and protection. Victims of abuse carry scars that require long-term care.
4. Legislative Reform: We need stronger laws to close loopholes that allow predators—especially those in positions of religious or moral authority—to escape with minor penalties. No more slaps on the wrist.

The Church’s Response: A Predictable Deflection

Knowing the leadership style of Eduardo Manalo, the Church Administration will likely follow its well-trodden path of deflection. They will wash their hands of any accountability, expel Payabyab, and claim this was an isolated incident. They will distance themselves, asserting that they do not associate with him, all in an effort to shield their leader from scrutiny.

But let’s be clear: Eduardo Manalo bears full responsibility for the culture within his church. Under his leadership, many ministers have developed a mentality of impunity, believing they are above the law and accountable only to God. This toxic environment has enabled countless abuses, many of which have been silenced to protect the church’s reputation.

This case is just one of the few that have come to light. How many more victims have been silenced? How many stories have been buried to maintain the façade of righteousness?

2025: The Year of 25

This year has been dubbed the “Year of 25,” a church internal number code for Eduardo Manalo. And one by one, the truth about the church under his leadership is being exposed. The anomalies and abuses we’ve been reporting for years are now being proven true. What else can we expect from ministers led by a man who demands to be treated like a deity?

In this culture, anyone who dares to question or oppose Eduardo Manalo is persecuted and oppressed. This environment fosters not just silence but compliance, creating a breeding ground for abuse and impunity.

 

A Call to Action

The time has come for victims to speak out against these human rights atrocities and child abuses. The Children’s Worship Service (CWS), in particular, must be scrutinized. This program, designed to mold young minds, has become a vulnerable space where predators can exploit their influence to instill obedience and suppress complaints.

Parents, now more than ever, must have open conversations with their children—encouraging them to speak up if they’ve experienced abuse at the hands of Eduardo Manalo’s ministers. Silence is no longer an option.

Final Word: Believe and Protect Children

Children should never be made to feel responsible for the vile actions of adults. And yet, in too many cases, they are not believed, supported, or defended. That cannot be our legacy. This story, painful as it is, is a call to action—for parents, communities, lawmakers, and religious institutions alike.

Predators, no matter who they are or what title they hold, must be exposed, prosecuted, and prevented from ever harming another child again. It starts by believing survivors, listening to mothers like this one, and refusing to let silence be the shield that protects the guilty.

Protect our children. Always.

~ Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista