Ex-INC minister arrested for libel

MANILA, Philippines — An expelled minister of religious sect Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) has been arrested on Wednesday for libel.

Expelled INC minister Lowell Menorca II was arrested by Manila police on Wednesday morning over a libel case filed against him in Marawi City.

Menorca was arrested hours before he is set to appear before the Court of Appeals for the petitions for writs of habeas corpus and amparo that he filed against the religious sect.

READ:Writs of amparo, habeas corpus filed vs INC leadership

In an interview with radio dzMM, Menorca claimed that the Manila police in civilian clothes tried to arrest him without showing a warrant of arrest.

The expelled INC minister added that he has been receiving death threats for going against the religious group.

Menorca said that he is being blamed by the group for being responsible behind a blog entitled "Silent No More" which exposes alleged anomalies in the organization.

"Dahil sa blog na 'yon, maraming namulat... Kaya ang pangalan ng blog na 'yon 'Silent No More'... maraming tao sa likod noon," Menorca said.

He added that the blog contains proof of corruption inside the religious organization.

"Sa panahon ngayon marami nang pagbabago pagdating sa pananalapi sa Iglesia at dahil sa may kinalaman sa pera 'yan, kapag na-expose 'yung mga bagay na 'yon ang unang tatamaan doon 'yung nakikinabang sa pera na ginagawa ngayon sa Iglesia na hindi nila malabanan 'yun dahil sabi ko nga maraming proof na post doon sa blog," he said.