MANILA policemen arrested Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) former minister Lowell Menorca on libel charges while he was on his way to attend a hearing at the Court of Appeals on Wednesday morning.
Menorca said he resisted arrest because the policemen who approached him along Quirino Avenue were not wearing their uniforms and refused to show him the arrest warrant, resulting in a two-hour standoff.
"Galing kami sa safe house pagkatapos papunta na kami sa Court of Appeals. May mga sasakyan kaming kasama dahil lilipat kami ng sasakyan. Kumanan kami ng isang kanto. Tapos bumaba kami para lumipat ng sasakyan. Pagbabang-pagbaba ko, hinablot na ako ng isang taong naka-civilian, niyakap na ako at nakikipagbuno sa akin. Sumisigaw siya, ‘Pulis ako! Pulis ako! May warrant of arrest ako.’ Sabi ko, ‘ipakita mo sa akin ‘yung warrant.’ Tapos dumating din ‘yung kasama niyang naka-civilian na nakamotor lang at may baril lang. Ayaw nila ipakita sa akin yung warrant basta may warrant daw," Menorca said.
Menorca initially refused to go with the arresting team not until Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Ronaldo Nana assured him of his safety and fair treatment.
Menorca was brought to the MPD station 5 in Ermita where he underwent booking procedure and to Ospital ng Maynila for medical examination.
Menorca tagged the INC for his "improper" arrest.
INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala denied the church's involvement in Menorca's arrest.
"Alam niyo po tiniwalag na po namin si Mr. Menorca sa Iglesia ni Cristo. Sapat na po 'yun sa panig ng Iglesia. That’s the most that can be done po as far as the membership in the Church is concerned. Ngayon kung may dapat siyang haraping kaso, harapin niya. Kung merong sine-serve na arrest warrant, harapin niya kasi hindi naman ang organisasyon ang umaaresto sa kanya," he said.
The arrest warrant for libel was issued by acting presiding Judge Alberto Quinto of Regional Trial Court branch 12 in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, on December 21, 2015.
Menorca's legal counsel, Trixie Cruz-Angeles expressed her disappointment after the MPD did not allow Menorca to appear in court for the hearing of his petition for writ of ampara and habeas corpus.
She said they never received any notice from the Marawi court regarding the libel case filed against Menorca.
"Sa ngayon wala pa kaming nakikita na kahit ano man, kahit complaint affidavit. Ang alam lang namin may warrant of arrest," she said.
Menorca's wife, Jinky, claimed the arrest warrant issued by a Lanao del Norte court did not indicate the name of her husband.
"Hindi sila (police) naka uniform, naka tsinelas lang sila at ayaw nila ipakita sa amin ng maayos yung warrant," Jinky said.
Menorca's wife also questioned the timing of her husband's arrest.
Menorca and his family were seeking a writ of amparo to protect themselves after allegedly experiencing continued harassment purportedly from the INC and writ of habeas corpus.
"Marami nang threat na natatanggap ang asawa ko na pag hindi siya tumigil ipapakulong siya o papatayin para hindi na siya makapagsalita lalo na 'yung tungkol sa laban sa Iglesia. Ito na ang panggigipit nila sa amin," she said.
MPD legal officer Police Superintendent Thomas Valmonte said a court order is needed to release Menorca as notice of hearing is not enough.
"Before, we stand to the request of the petitioner. However, because there is no court order, we changed our mind. We want court order to be issued for us to have authority," Valmonte said.
Due to the absence of Menorca, the CA has reset to Tuesday, January 26, at 10 a.m. the hearing of the cases. Cross-examination of witnesses for respondents will follow on February 15 at 10 a.m.
Menorca claimed being abducted in Bulan, Sorsogon by Quezon City policemen and was detained in Dasmarinas jail over illegal possession of firearms but he was later on freed and was detained at the INC central office in Quezon City together with his family.
He claimed the INC leadership ordered his kidnapping as they wanted to get information from him about a certain Antonio Ebangelista who wrote in a blog the anomalies in the religious group.
The Philippine National Police meanwhile said it will look into the alleged "improper arrest" allegations of Menorca's camp.
PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said they will call the attention the cops who served the arrest warrant on Menorca.
"Ire-require natin ang director ng Manila Police District (MPD) to submit a report kung ano ang nangyari sa ground at kung may nangyaring allegations kagaya ngayon na meron daw na hindi naka uniporme na may baril at naka tsinelas, pagsasabihan natin ang MPD na magsagawa sila ng sariling internal investigation para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang nangyari sa insidenteng ito," said Mayor.
Mayor said that they will also look into allegations that one of the arresting officers was not in proper uniform but carrying his firearms, as the policemen may have violated the ongoing election gun ban.
During election period, law enforcers who are not in their proper uniform are not allowed to bear, carry, or transport their firearms. (Sunnex)