Menorca: Imposibleng walang kinalaman ang INC | ABS-CBN
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Menorca: Imposibleng walang kinalaman ang INC
Menorca: Imposibleng walang kinalaman ang INC
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 22, 2016 08:29 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 22, 2016 08:58 PM PHT
MANILA - Former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member Lowell Menorca on Friday insisted it is impossible for the religious sect not to have been involved in the filing of libel cases against him in different courts all over the country as well as in his arrest last Wednesday.
MANILA - Former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member Lowell Menorca on Friday insisted it is impossible for the religious sect not to have been involved in the filing of libel cases against him in different courts all over the country as well as in his arrest last Wednesday.
In a press conference after he was released on bail at the Ermita Police Station in Manila, Menorca said members of the Society of Communicators and Networkers (SCAN) International, an organization founded by INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, will not file charges in court unless given the go-signal by the church leadership.
In a press conference after he was released on bail at the Ermita Police Station in Manila, Menorca said members of the Society of Communicators and Networkers (SCAN) International, an organization founded by INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, will not file charges in court unless given the go-signal by the church leadership.
"You cannot file a charge representing the organization without first asking permission from the organization because that can be a reason to discipline the member... Either pinaalam or [there were] instructions coming from [INC] Central," Menorca said.
"You cannot file a charge representing the organization without first asking permission from the organization because that can be a reason to discipline the member... Either pinaalam or [there were] instructions coming from [INC] Central," Menorca said.
He also maintained that it is impossible that the INC did not have a hand in his arrest, saying even non-members can see the signs of the church's supposed influence.
He also maintained that it is impossible that the INC did not have a hand in his arrest, saying even non-members can see the signs of the church's supposed influence.
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"For people like you who do not belong in the church and a lot of other people who are observing what's happening, I think I don't need to say all the signs. You can pick up on everything that is happening," he said.
"For people like you who do not belong in the church and a lot of other people who are observing what's happening, I think I don't need to say all the signs. You can pick up on everything that is happening," he said.
"Imposibleng walang kinalaman. Dahil pag tinrace (trace) back natin yung mga tao na may kinalaman sa harassment na ginagawa sa akin, malalaman niyo na lang bigla, Iglesia ni Cristo pala yung station commander, Iglesia ni Cristo yung arresting officer, Iglesia ni Cristo yung gustong um-escort sa akin," he added.
"Imposibleng walang kinalaman. Dahil pag tinrace (trace) back natin yung mga tao na may kinalaman sa harassment na ginagawa sa akin, malalaman niyo na lang bigla, Iglesia ni Cristo pala yung station commander, Iglesia ni Cristo yung arresting officer, Iglesia ni Cristo yung gustong um-escort sa akin," he added.
He said he is now leaving it to the people to decide if these are all just mere coincidence.
He said he is now leaving it to the people to decide if these are all just mere coincidence.
SCAN INTERNATIONAL
Menorca, an expelled member of the INC, was arrested Wednesday morning while he was on his way to the Court of Appeals (CA). He accused the church leadership of preventing him from testifying in the hearing on his petition for writs of amparo and habeas corpus against the INC.
Menorca, an expelled member of the INC, was arrested Wednesday morning while he was on his way to the Court of Appeals (CA). He accused the church leadership of preventing him from testifying in the hearing on his petition for writs of amparo and habeas corpus against the INC.
He was freed Friday afternoon after he posted a P20,000-bail for the two libel cases filed against him in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, and in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
He was freed Friday afternoon after he posted a P20,000-bail for the two libel cases filed against him in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, and in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
The libel complaints stem from Menorca's accusation that SCAN International, the disaster response group of the INC, is the church's "hit squad."
The libel complaints stem from Menorca's accusation that SCAN International, the disaster response group of the INC, is the church's "hit squad."
During the press conference, he clarified that he was not pertaining to the whole organization, saying "only a fraction" of SCAN is involved in illegal activities.
During the press conference, he clarified that he was not pertaining to the whole organization, saying "only a fraction" of SCAN is involved in illegal activities.
"May ilan na mga pangyayari na kinasangkutan po ng SCAN. Pero inuulit ko, hindi po nangangahulugan yun na ang kabuuan po ng SCAN International o ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay masama o nasasangkot sa ilegal na aktibidad," he said.
"May ilan na mga pangyayari na kinasangkutan po ng SCAN. Pero inuulit ko, hindi po nangangahulugan yun na ang kabuuan po ng SCAN International o ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay masama o nasasangkot sa ilegal na aktibidad," he said.
He stressed that he is not out to destroy anyone's reputation, saying that he "loves" the INC.
He stressed that he is not out to destroy anyone's reputation, saying that he "loves" the INC.
"I'm not out to destroy anybody's reputation. I'm not out to discredit anybody. I just want to have my time to be able to tell the truth, the whole truth, so that everybody will have the truth that they should know," he said.
"I'm not out to destroy anybody's reputation. I'm not out to discredit anybody. I just want to have my time to be able to tell the truth, the whole truth, so that everybody will have the truth that they should know," he said.
ABDUCTION
Menorca earlier alleged that he was abducted by policemen on orders from the INC leadership last year for being supposedly involved in the controversial anti-INC blog of a certain Antonio Ebangelista.
Menorca earlier alleged that he was abducted by policemen on orders from the INC leadership last year for being supposedly involved in the controversial anti-INC blog of a certain Antonio Ebangelista.
Asked if he is indeed Ebangelista, he said the blogger is a "culmination" of the "unheard voices" of INC members.
Asked if he is indeed Ebangelista, he said the blogger is a "culmination" of the "unheard voices" of INC members.
"I am, in part, like all of the hundreds of members of INC who are protesting silently about the irregularities and anomalies inside the church, we are, in part, Antonio Ebangelista," he said.
"I am, in part, like all of the hundreds of members of INC who are protesting silently about the irregularities and anomalies inside the church, we are, in part, Antonio Ebangelista," he said.
The expelled INC member maintained that his interview aired on Net 25 last year, where he denied being illegally detained at the church's central compound in Quezon City, was conducted "under duress."
He said he was not given due process, and there was no investigation conducted to determine if he is indeed Ebangelista.
The expelled INC member maintained that his interview aired on Net 25 last year, where he denied being illegally detained at the church's central compound in Quezon City, was conducted "under duress."
He said he was not given due process, and there was no investigation conducted to determine if he is indeed Ebangelista.
"The only thing that happened is with me kneeling down, face on the floor, and [INC Minister] Ka Bienvenido Santiago sitting in front of me at hindi ko masasabing kinukuwestiyon ako, I was interrogated with my hands handcuffed," he said.
"The only thing that happened is with me kneeling down, face on the floor, and [INC Minister] Ka Bienvenido Santiago sitting in front of me at hindi ko masasabing kinukuwestiyon ako, I was interrogated with my hands handcuffed," he said.
'WE WILL BE VINDICATED'
The INC, for its part, has denied Menorca's accusations. INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said they are no longer surprised that Menorca has again dragged the church's name to this whole controversy.
The INC, for its part, has denied Menorca's accusations. INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said they are no longer surprised that Menorca has again dragged the church's name to this whole controversy.
"Hindi na po bagong bagay sa amin sapagkat nagawa nga po niyang gawan kami ng storya na humantong pa sa korte, kaya kung pagkatapos nun ay meron pa siyang mga ibang bagay na sasabihin tungkol sa Iglesia ni Cristo, na sa tuwing may mangyayari sa kanya ay Iglesia ni Cristo ang itinuturo niya, so what else is new?" he said.
"Hindi na po bagong bagay sa amin sapagkat nagawa nga po niyang gawan kami ng storya na humantong pa sa korte, kaya kung pagkatapos nun ay meron pa siyang mga ibang bagay na sasabihin tungkol sa Iglesia ni Cristo, na sa tuwing may mangyayari sa kanya ay Iglesia ni Cristo ang itinuturo niya, so what else is new?" he said.
Zabala denied perpetrating Menorca's arrest so as to block his testimony at the CA, saying their legal team was even anticipating the appearance of Menorca.
Zabala denied perpetrating Menorca's arrest so as to block his testimony at the CA, saying their legal team was even anticipating the appearance of Menorca.
He also stressed that not all police officers involved in Menorca's arrest are members of the INC.
He also stressed that not all police officers involved in Menorca's arrest are members of the INC.
"An arrest warrant was issued and that it was served this [Wednesday] morning is beyond the control of the complainants since that was dependent on the police finding the opportunity to serve it.
"An arrest warrant was issued and that it was served this [Wednesday] morning is beyond the control of the complainants since that was dependent on the police finding the opportunity to serve it.
"We implore the public to be more circumspect with their assessment. The Iglesia ni Cristo has confidence in the legal process and we trust that we will eventually be vindicated," said Zabala.
"We implore the public to be more circumspect with their assessment. The Iglesia ni Cristo has confidence in the legal process and we trust that we will eventually be vindicated," said Zabala.
OTHER CHARGES
Aside from libel charges, Menorca is also facing a separate charge for resisting arrest.
Aside from libel charges, Menorca is also facing a separate charge for resisting arrest.
He resisted arrest on Wednesday and demanded the police who were then wearing civilian clothes to present a warrant. He later surrendered on the advice of his lawyer.
He resisted arrest on Wednesday and demanded the police who were then wearing civilian clothes to present a warrant. He later surrendered on the advice of his lawyer.
Charges of direct assault and obstruction of justice were also filed against his wife, Jingky, and driver, Felixberto Eslava.
Charges of direct assault and obstruction of justice were also filed against his wife, Jingky, and driver, Felixberto Eslava.
Speaking to reporters, Menorca gave a message to the police officers who arrested him in front of his wife and two-year-old daughter. His daughter, he said, was deeply traumatized by the incident.
Speaking to reporters, Menorca gave a message to the police officers who arrested him in front of his wife and two-year-old daughter. His daughter, he said, was deeply traumatized by the incident.
"Ang hinuli niyo, hindi drug lord, hindi jueteng lord, hindi murderer. Ang hinuli niyo, sinampahan ng iba't ibang Iglesia ni Cristo ng libel. Yun ang ginawa niyo sa akin, sa harap ng asawa ko at anak ko. If you will not drop those charges, I will make sure that I will go after you with the full weight of the law and justice. Because what you did to me is clearly an abuse of power and authority," he said.
"Ang hinuli niyo, hindi drug lord, hindi jueteng lord, hindi murderer. Ang hinuli niyo, sinampahan ng iba't ibang Iglesia ni Cristo ng libel. Yun ang ginawa niyo sa akin, sa harap ng asawa ko at anak ko. If you will not drop those charges, I will make sure that I will go after you with the full weight of the law and justice. Because what you did to me is clearly an abuse of power and authority," he said.
Menorca said he will consult his lawyers on his next legal steps, noting that he expects more cases to be filed against him.
Menorca said he will consult his lawyers on his next legal steps, noting that he expects more cases to be filed against him.
"I am willing to seek help from lawyers who also want to know the truth and to crusade against oppression, suppression of the truth. I hope magkatulong-tulong tayo," he said.
"I am willing to seek help from lawyers who also want to know the truth and to crusade against oppression, suppression of the truth. I hope magkatulong-tulong tayo," he said.
"Kasi sino ba naman ayaw ang katotohanan? Lahat tayo, yun ang hinahanap natin eh." -- With reports from Dominic Almelor, ABS-CBN News; Angel Movido, dzMM
"Kasi sino ba naman ayaw ang katotohanan? Lahat tayo, yun ang hinahanap natin eh." -- With reports from Dominic Almelor, ABS-CBN News; Angel Movido, dzMM
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