Menorca to INC: Stop kidnapping, illegal detention

MANILA, Philippines - Expelled Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II on Wednesday called on the religious sect to stop the alleged kidnapping and illegal detention of its members.

"Sana 'yung mga nangyayari tulad ng kidnapping at illegal detention, sana matigil na," Menorca said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.

The expelled minister earlier claimed that he was kidnapped by members of the Quezon City Police and detained at the INC compound in the city for three months.

READ: Cops tagged in ‘kidnap’ of INC couple

Menorca also appealed to INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo to reach out to his mother and siblings in a closed-door meeting.

The religious sect also expelled Manalo's mother Tenny and his brother Angel after releasing a video claiming that some of the group's ministers have been abducted.

WATCH: Iglesia ni Cristo's Angel, Tenny Manalo call for help
READ: Angel Manalo alleges 'corruption' in Iglesia ni Cristo

Menorca called on Manalo to conduct an investigation on the alleged irregularities committed by members of the sect's Sanggunian.

"They are hiding under the clout of the executive minister na para bang untouchable sila, hindi sila pwedeng pakialaman. This time hayaan sila sa due process na sila magkaroon din ng internal investigation sa loob ng INC," Menorca said.

The expelled minister was earlier arrested for libel while on his way to the Court of Appeals for a hearing on the petitions of writs of habeas corpus and amparo that he filed against INC.

Menorca posted P20,000 bail at the Manila Regional Trial Court for the libel suits against him but said that he fears that he might face more cases.

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