'Abducted' Iglesia minister belies alleged kidnappings in INC interview

By ANDREI MEDINA, GMA News

Published July 29, 2015 11:13pm

The Iglesia ni Cristo minister who was allegedly abducted has come out with a statement denying that any of the supposed kidnappings involving him took place, a report from GMA's “State of the Nation” said Wednesday.

In an interview with Iglesia ni Cristo Spokesman Edwil Zabala which was released to the media, Lowel Menorca said there was no truth to his alleged abduction or torture.

“Nais ko lang po sanang sabihin sa kanila na itigil na po nila [ang mga kasinungalingan]. Lalo na po 'yung pag gamit sa pangalan ko, sa sitwasyon ko para isulong kung ano man 'yung nais nilang gawin pa,” Menorca said.

Earlier, former Iglesa minister Jo Yuson released a list of the names of alleged ministers who were abducted including Menorca.

Yuson recently clarified that the list was not confirmed and was only based from a text message he received.

Yuson said he believes Menorca's statement and interview with Zabala were all scripted.

The interview was released after Menorca was released from police custody for allegedly threatening two construction workers with a grenade last week.

He was released by the Dasmariñas police after no complainants surfaced to file a case against him.

Menorca's denial of the alleged abduction and torture tries is the most recent in a string of incidents involving an apparent power sturggle within the influential Iglesia ni Cristo religious sector.

The rift was made public when expelled Iglesia members Angel Manalo and his mother Tenny released a video supposedly asking for help and saying their lives were in danger.

Both were then subsequently expelled from the Iglesia. Angel is the brother of Iglesia ni Cristo head Eduardo Manalo. — ELR, GMA News

Tags: iglesianicristo