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MANILA – The spokesperson of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) church has denied any involvement in the recent arrest of expelled member Lowell Menorca in Manila.

"Personally po, hindi ko alam na may nanghuhuling nangyayari sa kanya. Marahil po ang mabuting matanong yung mga umaaresto kung mayroon po ba silang warrant of arrest po. Sila ang mas higit na nasa tamang posisyon para magpaliwanag ng ginagawa po nila," INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said.

Zabala said that expelling Menorca from INC's membership is enough for the organization.

"Itiniwalag na po namin si Menorca sa Iglesia Ni Cristo. Sapat na po yun sa panig ng Iglesia...the most that can be done as far as his membership with the church is concerned," he said.

He said that if there is indeed a case against Menorca, he should face it and not blame the church. "Hindi naman po ang organisasyong Iglesia Ni Cristo ang umaaresto sa kanya, yung mga pulis," he said.

The INC spokesperson likewise brushed off Menorca's allegations that the threat on his life is a way to prevent him from giving his testimony before the Court of Appeals on Wednesday morning.

"Opinyon po yun sa bahagi niya. Ang tanong pong nanatili ay kung may warrant of arrest, bakit ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ang kanyang kinukuwestiyon ngayon? Bakit hindi yung nagse-serve sa kanya ng warrant of arrest?" Zabala said.

READ: INC blocks Menorca's testimony at CA
http://news.abs-cbn.com/advertorial/nation/12/01/15/inc-blocks-menorcas-testimony-at-ca

READ: CA's 7th division to handle Menorca's case vs INC
http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/26/15/cas-7th-division-handle-menorcas-case-vs-inc

For his part, Menorca said he expected the INC to deny all allegations against the organization.

"Of course, they are going to deny everything. They even denied about kidnapping, the illegal detention. They denied about everything. Wala silang alam doon. So they will continue to deny all of those things," he said.

He likewise clarified that he is bent on following the law.

"Bagamat alam ko na ginagamit nila ang batas para gipitin ang tulad ko, hindi ako lalaban. Di ako tatakas. Ang gusto lang matiyak ng asawa ko, pamilya ko ay ligtas ako. Hindi kasi nila ako pwedeng kumbinsihin na porke't naka-uniporme ang mga pulis na ito ay ligtas na ako," he said.

Menorca earlier accused the INC of abducting him after he was accused of writing a blog that was critical of the INC leadership.

"Dahil sila mismo ang dumukot sa akin, pinosasan ako, ibiniyahe ako mula Sorsogon hanggang Dasmariñas para ipapatay ako at nung nakaligtas ako ipinakulong ako, kinasuhan ako ng pagdadala daw ng granada."

"Itong mga bagay na ito, di nila ako kayang kumbinsihin na walang kinalaman ang Iglesia Ni Cristo," he added.

Menorca was arrested on Wednesday morning based on a warrant issued by a court in Lanao del Norte for libel. He was brought to the Manila Police District Station 5 and will undergo regular booking process.

Meanwhile, MPD Chief Rolando Nana has assured Menorca's safety.

"Just like any other inmate po or arrested, they will be accorded due process," Nana said.