Writs of amparo, habeas corpus filed vs INC leadership

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of the brother of an allegedly missing Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister on Wednesday filed before the Supreme Court a petition for habeas corpus against the religious organization.

Anthony Menorca, brother of minister Lowell Menorca, and Jungki Otsuka, twin sister of Lowell's wife, Jinky, filed the nine-page petition for the issuance of writs of amparo and habeas corpus against top INC ministers.

Among the respondents are Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, and members of the INC Executive Council Radel Cortez, Rolando Esguerra and Bienvenido Santiago, according to a state news report.

The petitioners asked the high tribunal to order the respondents to bring before the court Lowell, Jinky, their daughter Yurie and domestic helper Abbegail.

Menorca claimed that his brother and other family members are in custody of the top leadership of the denomination.

Lowell was allegedly abducted by unidentified armed men while on his way to his pastoral house in Bulan, Sorsogon in July. Menorca also claimed that Lowell's wife, Jinky, was compelled to be placed under the custody of the church leaders after she was threatened on the phone phone by Esguerra.

Esguerra allegedly told Jinky that she would no longer see Lowell if she would not appear at the INC Central Office in Commonwealth, Quezon City.

The petitioners also claimed that the INC was behind the abduction of Menorca as well as the alleged illegal detention committed against him and his family.

Menorca also asked the high court to order the inspection of the alleged detention area inside the INC Central Compound. — Camille Diola