Menorca fears being arrested anew

MANILA, Philippines - Expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II believes he might be arrested again for libel and be blocked from testifying for his lawful protection today.

In a phone interview, Menorca yesterday said the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), which has been helping him since his arrest for libel charges from two courts in Mindanao on Jan. 20, has been researching possible similar arrest warrants.

But Milabel Cristobal, FLAG member, said in a text message that her group was “still verifying the authenticity of more than five arrest warrants or subpoenas” for libel against Menorca.

Menorca said some INC members might hold a protest rally at the Court of Appeals (CA) today and block his entry there.

“I’m anticipating anything that might happen just to stop me from testifying and telling the truth,” he said.

He is supposed to give his statement at the CA today for his petition for a writ of amparo in relation to his alleged abduction by uniform-clad people from his hometown in Sorsogon and his eventual detention in Cavite last year.

He said he strongly believed the INC’s executive council orchestrated the abduction and detention.

INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said the INC is ready for the hearing at the CA and that it is not trying to prevent Menorca from testifying.

De Lima hit

Meanwhile, a lawyer-activist blasted former justice secretary Leila de Lima yesterday for issuing “irresponsible” statements on the arrest of Menorca in Manila last week.

Harry Roque, a Kabayan party-list first nominee, urged De Lima to “exercise restraint” in issuing statements on Menorca’s arrest “without (first) having all the facts.”

In an interview, De Lima pointed out that Menorca’s arrest was “irregular” and “most probably illegal.”

De Lima made the comment after being shown a video of Menorca’s arrest. – Ghio Ong, Non Alquitran