Abducted INC minister to bare all today
Four days after his “rescue,” an Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) minister will hold a press conference today to confirm his alleged abduction in Sorsogon last July and his subsequent detention inside the INC compound.
On Friday, a video was sent to media in which Lowell Menorca said he was illegally detained at the INC compound from July 25 to Oct. 21 and that everything he said in the INC-run Net-25 interview was allegedly scripted.
In the same video, Menorca promised to tell all during a press conference.
Contacted yesterday, Menorca’s counsel, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, said the press conference will be held at 10 a.m. at a still to be decided venue.
“I will disclose the venue in my Facebook account,” said Angeles.
Contrary to the claim of former House Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella that he accompanied Menorca and his family to their aunt’s house in Fairview last Wednesday, Angeles said the INC minister was rescued, details of which would be divulged during the press conference.
“It’s not true. Mr. Fuentebella and INC officials were transferring the Menorcas to another house when they were rescued,” Angeles said.
Angeles said the Menorcas are now in a safehouse.
The INC minister was reported abducted by armed men in Sorsogon last July 25 and surfaced in a police jail in Dasmariñas where he was charged with possession of explosives.
After spending a week inside the jail, Menorca was freed after the complaint of two construction workers, who accused him of carrying a hand grenade, was withdrawn.
However, Menorca left the police jail with Allen Blair Boy, a lawyer sent by INC.
Angeles said charges will be readied against those who participated in the abduction and detention of Menorca.
Meanwhile, Angeles decried the continuous persecution of the siblings of INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo inside their house in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
Angeles said the Manalos have not left their house since Angel Manalo, in a one-minute, 54-second video, asked for public help, saying his life was in danger.
“The INC has barred visitors, including those delivering food. Yung mga taga-INC na nagdadala ng pagkain, tinitiwalag din,” Angeles said.
The INC has filed for an injunction, asking the court to bar visitors from Manalo’s house.
“The INC said it owns the house, although it failed to present any single title,” Angeles said.
Angeles said she brought a doctor, dentist, and hairdresser to the Manalos, but were denied entry by INC security guards.
“We wanted to check everyone’s condition, but the guards would not let us come in,” she said. “Maski ako na abogado nila ayaw papasukin.”
Angeles said the INC has blocked the gate of the Manalos with a security outpost and a portable toilet.
“The INC claims that it owns the property,” she said.
Asked why the Manalos won’t leave the house, Angeles said: “Where will they go? They have no property. All were confiscated by the INC.”
The INC church has denied allegations of corruption.