INC denies hand in ex-minister's arrest

MANILA, Philippines - Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Wednesday denied that it is involved in the arrest of its expelled minister for libel.

Former INC minister Lowell Menorca was earlier arrested while on his way to the Court of Appeals for a hearing for the petitions for writs of habeas corpus and amparo that he filed against the religious sect.

"Itiniwalag na po namin si Menorca sa Iglesia Ni Cristo. Sapat na po 'yun sa panig ng Iglesia... the most that can be done as far as his membership with the church is concerned," INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala said in an interview with radio dzMM.

Zabala added that Menorca should not blame the organization for getting arrested.

"Hindi naman po ang organisasyong Iglesia Ni Cristo ang umaaresto sa kanya, yung mga pulis," Zabala said.

The INC spokesperson said that Menorca should question those who are served his warrant of arrest and not the religious sect.

Zabala pointed out in a press conference that the ones who filed the label case against Menorca were INC members who were offended by his statements.

He added that the INC will continue to deny Menorca's allegations such as issues on kidnapping and illegal detention.

In an earlier interview, Menorca claimed that he is being blamed by the INC for publishing a blog entitled "Silent No More" which exposes alleged anomalies in the organization.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeals reset the hearing for the testimony of Menorca following his failure to appear due to being arrested.