INC church members accused of kidnapping, murder in Philippines - The Fifth Estate

Then an unidentified assailants murdered Fr. Richmond Nilo for being critical of INC®?

Rappler: Expelled INC member gets refugee status in Canada

Imagine if an ex-Catholic member would seek refuge in other countries because his life is in danger. And those who wants his life are the very same persons who call themselves "followers of the real church"? What a hypocrite. This is why Menorca's case is UNIQUE to the Iglesia Ni Cristo® - 1914. It no longer embodies the Christian moral precepts that is a prescription for being a follower of Christ! That's why the INC™ can't blame non-INC™ for calling them "cult"!  -CD2000 [Source: Rappler / You can read also at ABS-CBN]

Canadian authorities say Lowell Menorca II 'is a person in need of protection from a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment and a risk to his life' 

ARRESTED. Ex-Iglesia ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca is secured by police officers after he was presented a warrant of arrest for libel on January 20, 2016. File photo by Lito Boras/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Citing threats to his life, Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has granted refugee status to expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member Lowell Menorca II. 

Rappler on Friday, January 26, obtained a redacted copy of the Canadian authorities' decision on Menorca's case. Canada's CBC News reported on the same decision on Thursday, January 25. 

Lowell Menorca II at ang Kaniyang Pahayag Ukol sa Kaniyang Pag-alis sa Bansa

Ang ginigipit na pamilya ni Lowell Menorca II (Photo Source: Manila Bulletin)

Hindi layunin ng post na ito na siraan ang pamunuan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo (1914) bagkus nais lamang nating matulungan si G. Lowell Menorca II na maiparating sa mga tao ang kanyang saloobin ukol sa pangambang hinaharap ng kanyang pamilya matapos na siya ay mapagbintangang kasama raw siya ng may ari ng isang blog na si Antonio Ebangelista.  Dalangin natin na sa lahat ng mga NAAAPI at nawawalan ng pag-asa ay masumpungan nawa nila ang tanging pagkalinga at paggabay ng ating Diyos at Panginoong Jesus na siya lamang ang maaaring takbuhan ng mga walang kumakalinga. -CD2000

READ: Former INC member Lowell Menorca's statement
ABS-CBN News
Posted at 03/10/16 9:38 PM

Lowell Menorca II, a former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member, issued a statement Thursday, days after he and his family left for Vietnam last Sunday.

Menorca was earlier reported missing. Menorca; his wife, Jinky; and daughter, Yurie Keiko were supposed to attend the hearing before the appellate court's 7th Division where INC lawyers were supposed to continue their cross-examination of Menorca on the latter's writ of amparo petition against INC leaders led by Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo.

The Menorcas fled the Philippines allegedly due to death threats, including one against their daughter, according to his lawyer, Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

"It scared him so much that he proceeded to the airport so that he could secure his family," Angeles said.

The INC camp said it is exploring legal options following Menorca's travel to Vietnam, including asking the court to strike out his testimony from record.

INC collaborating counsel Moises Tolentino Jr. said they were surprised by Menorca's departure, adding that he was supposed to cross-examine him Monday morning.

The case stems from the alleged abduction of Menorca and his family and their househelp Abegail Yanson by the INC because of alleged suspicions he is behind the "Antonio Ebanghelista" blog that has been posting on social media against supposed corruption within the religious sect.

This is Menorca's full statement Thursday:

"Ako po ay sumusulat sa inyo ngayon hindi bilang isang dating Manggagawa sa Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) na handang harapin ang anumang banta at panganib dahil sa paninindigan na isiwalat ang ginawa ng Pamamahala ng INC sa amin simula sa pagpapadukot sa Sorsogon, pagpapakulong sa Dasmarinas, Cavite para sa isang kinathang kaso, pagpapa-detain sa amin sa INC Central compound at patuloy na pangha-harass sa amin, na dahil dito nakahanda akong ibuwis ang aking kalayaan at buhay para lamang maninidigan at ipaglaban ang katotohanan. Ngayon po ay sumusulat ako sa inyo bilang isang pangulo ng sambahayan na labis na nangangamba para sa kaligtasan ng kaniyang pamilya.

Bakit nga ba ako natulak sa pagpapasya na lumikas ng bansa sa kabila ng nakaambang panganib na maharang sa airport at maipakulong na muli?

Sariwang-sariwa pa sa aming alaala ang karimarimarim na tagpo nang kami ay pasukin sa mismong compound ng Kapilya ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Lokal ng Butag, Sorsogon noong July 16, 2015, kung saan mga armadong pulis ng Quezon City Police District (QCPD) pa ang pumasok katulong ang mga kinasangkapan nilang mga Ministro sa pamumuno ni Ka Benefrido Santiago, dating Sanggunian, upang kami ay dukutin. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na inilagay nila sa panganib ang aking pamilya sapagkat maging ang aking maybahay na si Jingky, ang anak naming si Yurie at ang aming kasambahay na si Abby ay pinilit nilang sumama sa kanila kahit pa labag sa kanilang kagustuhan. Sinamsam din nilang lahat ng aming mga personal na mga kagamitan. Sa kabila ng kanilang paggamit sa kapulisan upang gumawa ng isang aktibidad na labag sa batas, nagawa pa nilang pasamain ang aking pangalan sa mga tao sa Lokal doon sa pamamagitan ng pagkakalat ng mga kasinungalingan laban sa amin. Pinatunayan lamang nilang muli na kaya nilang gawin ang kahit anong gusto nila at walang makapipigil sa kanila.

Nagawa nilang ipakulong ako sa Dasmariñas City Jail gamit ang isa pang kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo na kasalukuyang City Prosecutor ng Dasmariñas. Pagkilapas ng siyam (9) na araw ay pinakawalan din ako dahil sa dumarami na ang media na pumupunta doon na gusto akong ma-interview at malaman ang totoong nangyari sa akin. Akala ko ay makakapiling ko na ang aking pamilya at malaya na kaming makapamumuhay ng payapa. Subalit sa halip na kami ay palayain, pinalabas nilang ako ang may kahilingan na kami ay kupkupin ng Pamamahala sa loob ng Central, kaya sa loob ng ilang buwan ay nagawa nilang i-detain kami sa loob mismo ng Central ng labag sa aming kagustuhan at karapatan. Pinabantayan kami sa mga gwardya saan man kami naroroon at ilang beses silang gumawa ng mga eksena para palabasin na normal lang ang aming buhay at hindi kami illegally detained. Dahil sa kawalan namin ng kapangyarihan sa aming kalayaan at kalagayan, sumunod kami sa lahat ng kanilang kagustuhan at sinabi ang anumang gusto nilang ipasabi sa amin. Sa madaling salita ay nagpanggap kami na kumakampi na sa kanila para lamang tigilan na nila ang interrogations nila sa akin patungkol sa mga taong nasa likod ng blog writer na si Antonio Ebangelista. Nagmistulang parang bangungot ang aming buhay dahil sa kabila ng katotohanang binibigyan nila kami ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan namin subalit nananatili kami sa isang presong may gintong rehas sa loob ng banal na lugar ng Central. Mahirap itong maunawaan ng ibang tao lalo na ng mga taong wala direktang kabatiran ukol dito kaya kung anu-anong kasinungalingan ang ipinakakalat nila sa mga kapatid para lamang pasinungalingan ang katotohanan. Kaya marami ang mabilis na tumalon sa konklusyon na naninira lamang daw ako at nanggugulo samantalang kahit saang anggulo nating titingnan, kami ang biktima at hindi sila. Ang nakakapagtaka pa ay lahat ng mga taong may pinakamaraming opinyon at nasasabi ukol sa mga bagay na iyon ay ang mga taong wala naman sa mga pagkakataong iyon at lalong walang personal na kaalaman ukol doon.

BREAKING: Ex-Iglesia minister Menorca already out of PHL –Immigration Bureau

Photo Source: NewsInfoInquirer

Following alleged death threats to him and his family, former Iglesia Ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca has left the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said on Monday.

In a tweet, GMA News' Jun Veneracion quoted BI spokesperson Nikki Reyes as saying that Menorca, who had accused Iglesia Ni Cristo officials of illegally detaining him and his family, left Sunday.

"Immigration Spokesperson Nikki Reyes confirms that ex-INC minister Lowell Menorca has left PHL yesterday," read Veneracion's tweet.

The BI did not indicate Menorca's destination.

Earlier in the day, Menorca's legal counsel Trixie Cruz-Angeles manifested before the Court of Appeals that Menorca had told her over the phone Sunday night that they were at the airport ready to depart.

The lawyer said Menorca, his wife Jinky Otsuka-Menorca and their daughter were intially stopped at the airport by officials due to a hold departure order.

Angeles, however, said Menorca later informed her the family was finally allowed to leave.

Reyes told reporters that Menorca took a Cebu Pacific flight that left for Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam at 10:45 p.m. —Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News

Iglesia Ni Cristo's Online Vigilantes called "MANDIRIGMA" starts Attacking ex-members!

IGLESIA NI CRISTO®'s ONLINE VIGILANTES called "MANDIRIGMA" are in FULL SWING against former INC™ members. Mr. Lowell Menorca II and his family was ATTACKED online! 

Please pray for Mr. Menorca and all those who are persecuted and threatened by the INC™ leadership.

Source: Inquirer.net

Ex-INC minister who accused sect leaders goes missing — lawyer

Former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Minister Lowell Menorca II and his family are missing, his counsel said before the Court of Appeals.

Menorca was supposed to appear before the Court of Appeals for the continuation of his cross examination on the writ of amparo petition filed by his brother Anthony and sister-in-law Jungko.

READ: Expelled minister crosses swords with Iglesia lawyer | Ousted Iglesia ni Cristo leader bares murder plot

Named respondents are INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo and members of the sect’s Sanggunian, Radel Cortez, Bienvenido Santiago, and Rolando Esguerra.

The petition was filed last Oct. 15, 2015 after Menorca and his family were taken by alleged INC members after he was being suspected to be Anthony Ebanghelista, the blogger writing against INC.

During Monday’s hearing, Menorca’s counse

l Atty. Trixie Angeles said last Sunday evening the last communication she had with Menorca was at 8pm Sunday.

Angeles said Menorca called her from the airport.

“He informed us that they received a death threat,” Angeles told the Court.

The death threat was sent using Menorca’s family photo with a March 7 date, face of his daughter marked with an “X”. It was placed on the windshield of his vehicle.

“It scared him so much that he proceeded to the airport so that he could secure his family,” Angeles told reporters.

At the airport, she said Menorca informed him past 7 in the evening Sunday that he has a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order, meaning they cannot leave the country.

Angeles said Menorca informed her that he was held by Immigration officials supposedly to be turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and then brought to Camp Crame.

At 8 in the evening, Angeles said he received another call from Menorca informing her that they have been allowed to leave.

“He called us and told us that he was being allowed to leave to which we expressed our reservations because if there is an HDO, it would not be possible. Nevertheless he promised to call us no matter how things turned out and he has not been reachable ever since,” Angeles said.

Angeles said she could not also reach Menorca’s brother Anthony and sister-in-law Jungko.

INC lawyers questioned why Menorca’s lawyer was not able to communicate with him after 8pm Sunday when Menorca was able to post on his Facebook account 6 hours ago.

“I am expressing suspicion as to the authenticity of this claim,” Att. Patricia Ann Prodigalidad said.

Prodigalidad was referring to the photo of the death threat the Menorca’s family received where the former minister appealed to leave his daughter alone.

The Court of Appeals reset the case on March 21 and 28.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/771305/ex-inc-minister-who-accused-sect-leaders-goes-missing-lawyer#ixzz42CE1fx5s
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"MANDIRIGMA" -- Iglesia Ni Cristo's latest Online Vigilantes?

If this is true, non-INC™ members especially Catholics who are critical to the Iglesia Ni Cristo's fragile governance should be clever enough to ensure their personal information and/or photos in their social media accounts’ PRIVACY are securely protected.

Source: Sher Lock FB Account

Solita Monsod: On Menorca's overkill arrest!

Photo Source: Politicos.com

By: Solita Collas-Monsod / Philippine Daily Inquirer [all emphasis were mine]

I CANNOT resist putting in my two cents’ worth of comment, or rather questions, on the news reports on what has been going in Metro Manila this week. So here goes.

The Menorca arrest. 1. Two arrest warrants were served on expelled Iglesia ni Cristo worker Lowell Menorca II, both for libel. They were signed by two regional trial court judges all the way from Mindanao—the first by Alberto Quinto of the RTC in Kapatagan (second-class municipality, 2010 population: 53,916), Lanao del Norte, and the second by Wenida Papandayan of Marawi City (“The only Islamic city in the Philippines”), Lanao del Sur. Why anyone in those areas should be exercised about alleged libelous statements made by Menorca, I fail to understand, except if it is to remove the INC center from all blame. Obviously, someone was. And the judges ordering the arrest of Menorca—didn’t they have anything better to do? Maybe the Supreme Court administrator should take notice.

2. Then there’s the Manila Police Department sending out a “tracker team” (whatever that is)—the members of which weren’t in uniform, but in shorts and slippers, for heaven’s sake—to arrest Menorca. They found him on his way to the Court of Appeals. According to the MPD spokesperson, a decision was made “on the ground,” meaning at the point where they saw Menorca, to give priority to the arrest order rather than to the CA subpoena that Menorca was answering. That doesn’t compute. The decision to arrest couldn’t have been made on the ground, because Menorca was already on his way to the CA. Isn’t it more logical to conclude that the team was bent on preventing Menorca from reaching the court? Ergo, the decision must have been made beforehand.

3. More on the MPD: With all the arrest warrants being issued in Metro Manila, why were the warrants from Mindanao given priority, especially since the alleged crime was only libel—not a heinous crime—and there must be hundreds of warrants for crimes in the city that the MPD could have served?

4. Still talking about the MPD: Its story is that Mrs. Menorca (Seiko “Jinky” Otsuka) grabbed the badge and the arrest warrant from the serving officer, hid these in her car, and then came out to do battle. That shows tremendous presence of mind and calm ability to think on her feet. I saw the video (thank the Lord for cell phones), and noted that Mrs. Menorca is a slender, tiny woman compared to the arresting officer. How could she have gotten his badge and the arrest order, and so quickly? Why didn’t the others show their badges? The video showed her in hysterics (not calm), asking them again and again to show their badges, but no answer. And why, if they knew that the arrest warrant was in her car, were they unable to retrieve it?

Leila de Lima showed the strength of her character when she gave her statement regarding the Menorca arrest. Where other politicians have stayed absolutely quiet, no doubt because they are courting the INC vote, Leila unhesitatingly spoke her mind in complete disregard of what it might imply for her personal benefit. That’s what we need in the Senate. You have my vote, Leila...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mareng Winnie: De Lima puts to shame politikos for being the lone voice in the wilderness against INC

Source: Politicos.com

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Solita Monsod is praising senatorial bet Leila de Lima for standing up to the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo and calling a spade a spade when the former justice secretary condemned the arrest of sect member Lowell Menorca II.

“Leila de Lima showed the strength of her character when she gave her statement regarding the Menorca arrest. Where other politicians have stayed absolutely quiet, no doubt because they are courting the INC vote, Leila unhesitatingly spoke her mind in complete disregard of what it might imply for her personal benefit. That’s what we need in the Senate. You have my vote, Leila,” gushed Monsod in her Philippine Daily Inquirer column.

De Lima described Menorca’s arrest on 20 January 2016 as “really highly irregular and most probably illegal, too.”

She said the arresting officers should have been in uniform and not plainclothes and slippers and that they used excessive force not proportionate to the nonviolent crime slapped against Menorca.

The INC is widely suspected of engineering the dubious arrest warrant slapped on Menorca for libel. Menorca has accused the INC of illegal detention and harassment.

The INC has tagged Menorca as part of the group behind the malicious social media posts against INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo and his family. It was De Lima who initiated the cases filed against the INC leaders for illegal detention in August 2015.

Ang INC at ang Mafia!

Lowell Menorca II, ang palabang dating kaanib ng INC™ (Photo Source: Rappler)

Source: Bandera
Sinulat ni Ramon Tulfo

ANG Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) ay maihahambing sa Mafia ng America .

Pareho silang may mga galamay sa gobiyerno at sa ilang sektor ng lipunan.

Pareho silang kinatatakutan ng kanilang mga miyembro, at maging taga-labas, dahil sa kanilang taglay na kapangyarihan at impluwensiya.

Ang pagkakaiba lang ay ang INC ay isang relihiyon na itinatag sa ating bansa, na tinuturuan daw ang mga miyembro ng pagmamahal sa kapwa, samantalang ang Mafia ay isang criminal gang na pumapatay.

Pero pareho ang dalawa sa paraan upang sundin ng kanilang mga miyembro ang vow of silence: pinatatahimik habambuhay ang mga lumabag sa panata.

Since the Mafia is not operating in the Philippines , hayaan na natin ito at ipagpaubaya na natin ito sa mga otoridad sa America .

Pag-usapan natin ang INC.

Ipinakita ng simbahan ang pangil nito nang ipinag-utos nito ang pag-aresto kay Lowell Menorca II, isang itiniwalag na ministro, upang pigilin siyang makapagtestigo sa Court of Appeals.

Kasama ni Menorca ang kanyang asawa at 2-taong gulang na anak na babae patungo sa appellate court nang sila’y masabat ng ilang pulis na diumano’y mga miyembro ng INC.

Titestigo sana si Menorca sa Court of Appeals sa kanyang demanda laban sa mga lider ng simbahan na diumano’y nagbigay ng utos na siya’y dukutin noong isang taon.

Pilit na isinama ng mga pulis na miyembro ng INC si Menorca , na ministro noon sa Bulan, Sorsogon patungong Maynila.

Sinabi niya na ipinadukot siya ng mga matataas na opisyal ng INC dahil pinaghihinalaan nila na siya ang may kagagawan ng pagpapakalat ng diumano’y katiwalaan sa loob ng INC sa online posts.

Sa madaling salita, gusto siyang patahimikin.

Sinabi ni Menorca na sa daan patungong Maynila, pinagtangkaan siyang patayin ng mga pulis pero isa sa kanila ay naawa sa kanya.

Kinulong siya sa isang jail sa Cavite at inilipat siya sa INC central compound ng hindi niya kagustuhan bago nag-utos ang Supreme Court na siya’y pakawalan.

Ang tiyempo o timing at paraan ng pag-aresto kay Menorca noong Miyerkoles ay lantarang kawalan ng paggalang ng INC sa batas.

Alam ng simbahan na papunta si Menorca sa Court of Appeals upang tumestigo, pero inaresto siya dahil sa isang warrant sa isang maliit na kaso.

Inaresto si Menorca na para siyang pusakal na kriminal samantalang ang kaso ay libel, isang non-violent crime.

Sa aking karanasan bilang columnist na maraming kasong libel na isinampa sa akin, sinasabihan ako na may nakasampa na kasong libel sa akin at ako ay pumupunta sa korte.

Hindi naman heinous crime ang libel gaya ng murder, rape o kidnapping. May mga panukala nga na gawin na lang civil case ang libel at hindi criminal case.

Ang libel ay isinampa ng ilang miyembro ng INC kay Menorca sa Lanao del Norte at ang judge at agad na nag-isyu ng warrant laban sa kanya.

Walang subpoena na natanggap si Menorca galing sa piskal ng Lanao del Norte bago isinampa nito ang kaso sa korte.

Ibig sabihin, madalian ang pag-isyu ng warrant kay Menorca .

Ganoon ang kapangyarihan ng INC.

Maraming miyembro ng INC ang nakahawak ng makapangyarihang puwesto sa Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Prosecution Service, sa mga Regional Trial Courts, sa Court of Appeals at maging sa Supreme Court.

Utang nila ang kanilang puwesto sa kanilang simbahan.

May kumakalat na balita, na maaaring eksaherado, na ilang miyembro ng INC ay papatay upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang simbahan, gaya ng mga jihadists na handang pasabugin ang kanilang sarili para sa Islam.

Yan ay dahil sa matagal na indoctrination

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The Police General who served Menorca's arrest is an ACTIVE IGLESIA NI CRISTO member! SHAME!

Courtesy of MR. TED FAILON



WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

On his way to the court, ex-INC™ Minister was served "Warrant of Arrest" allegely behind is the Iglesia Ni Cristo®

Source: Rappler

Ex-INC minister Menorca arrested on the way to court

The arrest warrant stems from a libel case filed against Lowell Menorca in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

UNDER ARREST. Ex-Iglesia ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca remains in his vehicle as he awaits Manila Police District chief Rolando Nana following an arrest warrant served by two plainclothes policemen on January 20, 2016. Photo by Lito Boras / Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca was arrested by plainclothes policemen in Manila on his way to the Court of Appeals on Wednesday, January 20.

Menorca, who was with wife Seiko, was on his way to court to testify on petitions for writs of habeas corpus and amparo filed by his relatives before the High Court in October 2015.

Interviewed by Ted Failon on radio dzMM, Menorca said he did not even receive any notice of his impending arrest, which stemmed from a libel case filed in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

The warrant was issued by acting presiding Judge Alberto Quinto of Regional Trial Court, 12th Judicial Region, Branch 12 in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, on December 21, 2015. Bail was set at P10,000.

"Itong mga bagay na ito, hindi ako kayang kumbinsihin na walang kinalaman ang Iglesia ni Cristo (I cannot be convinced that the Iglesia ni Cristo has nothing to do with this)," said Menorca, who was allegedly detained by the INC last year to force him to expose members critical of the chuurch.

There was a nearly two-hour standoff at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Quirino Avenue in Manila after two plainclothes policemen – one of them in short pants – attempted to serve the arrest warrant on Menorca.

His wife, Jinky, told Failon that the policemen, who did not even show them their badges to prove their identity, "grabbed" Menorca as soon as he got out of their vehicle to move to another vehicle. One of them even reportedly tore his shirt in the process.

Jinky, who documented the incident, said the police "flashed" an arrest warrant to them but did not let them read it in full.

In the video taken by Jinky, the policemen refused to show their badge to the couple despite their repeated demand, and just said Menorca was under arrest.

WARRANT OF ARREST. The warrant of arrest, dated December 21, 2015, issued by the Regional Trial Court in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. Photo by Katerina Francisco/Rappler

Previous abduction

In the radio interview, Menorca reminded police authorities he had a traumatic experience with their colleagues in the past – he had narrated he was detained by policemen in Sorsogon who filed trumped-up charges of illegal possession of explosives, which were eventually dismissed. (READ: INC Minister Lowell Menorca: The story of my kidnapping)

At the time of the interview, the number of policemen surrounding Menorca had swelled to 20, led by Superintendent Ed Leonardo, chief of Manila Police District Station 10.

"Susunod ako sa batas bagama't alam ko na ginagamit nila (INC leadership) ang batas para gipitin ang mga tao na katulad ko. Di ako lalaban. Napapaligiran ako. Gusto lang ng asawa ko, ligtas ako," Menorca said.

(I will follow the law, though I know that they [INC leadership] use the law to harass people like me. I won't fight. I'm already surrounded. My wife just wants to keep me safe.)

Isaias Samson, another former INC minister facing libel charges, earlier said that according to information that he had gathered, other libel cases have been filed against Menorca in different parts of the country, such as Isabela and Cavite, besides Marawi City. (READ: INC minister Isaias Samson: Life in danger)

Menorca said he did not know about these cases because "I have never received any notice."

Menorca requested, through the radio interview, that he be brought to the police station by Manila Police District Chief Senior Superintendent Rolando Nana himself. He didn't want to be handled by policemen who are members or affiliated by the INC.

Nana later heeded the request and escorted Menorca to Station 5, where he was booked and was expected to post bail.

INC spokesman: Face charges

INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said in the same interview that the INC had nothing to do with the arrest, and is not even aware of it. He said those who served the warrant would be in the best position to respond to questions arising from it.

"Itiniwalag na namin si Mr Menorca. Sapat na po 'yun sa panig ng Iglesia. That's the most that can be done as far as his membership in the church is concerned. Ngayon, kung meron siyang dapat na harapin na kaso, harapin po niya. Dapat harapin niya yun at 'wag niyang ibaling sa amin dahil hindi naman po ang organisasyon ng Iglesia ang gustong umaresto sa kanya," Zabala said. [sinungaling!]

(We already expelled Mr Menorca. That's enough on the part of the Iglesia. That's the most that can be done as far as his membership in the church is concerned. Now, if he has to face charges, then he should face them. He should face that and not drag us into it because the organization is not the implementing the arrest order.)

In response, Menorca said he understands the position taken by Zabala as he represents the INC and could not divulge any information unless authorized by the leadership.

"They will continue to deny all of those things. Sabi nila wala silang kinalaman sa arrest warrant, pagsasampa ng kaso sa iba't-ibang panig ng Pilipinas. Alam naman namin lahat na hindi kikilos ang isang kaanib ng organisasyon sa loob ng Iglesia na walang patnubay at pag-utos ng [nasa itaas)," he said. [sinungaling!]

(They say they have nothing to do with the arrest warrant, the filing of cases in different parts of the Philippines. We all know that members of the organization would not move without the guidance and order of the leadership.)

Preliminary investigation?

Menorca's lawyer, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, arrived past 10 am at the MPD Station 5, where Menorca was being held.

Angeles said they were surprised by the arrest, adding that they were not given any notice about the libel complaint against the former minister.

"Walang notice ang client namin, that's why even the fact na libel 'yung kaso, di namin alam. Normally, dadaan sa preliminary investigation. Walang notice ng preliminary investigation," she said.

(Our client did not receive any notice, that's why even the fact that it was a libel case, we did not know. Normally it goes through a preliminary investigation. There was no notice for a preliminary investigation.)

The lawyer added that Menorca's experience in Sorsogon, where he was allegedly abducted supposedly on orders of top INC officials, was always at the back of the family's mind.

Menorca and his family are seeking a writ of amparo to protect themselves, citing continued harassment and threats against them.

A writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security has been violated or threatened. A writ of habeas corpus is a legal action sought on behalf of a person who has been unlawfully detained.

In an interview on dzMM on her way to Station 5, Angeles expressed confidence that the court would grant a request for Menorca to give his testimony on another day, if he would be unable to get to the CA for the scheduled hearing.

Asked what would happen if Menorca would not be able to make it to court, Angeles said: "We will ask the court for another setting, considering that this is a matter beyond our control. And we have no doubt that the court, which is a fair court, will grant it."

She added" "Right now, we have to make sure that he's safe. The reason why this case reached the Supreme Court is this is a case for habeas corpus and amparo precisely to protect him from the possibility that he may be harmed. And the people he had accused of attempting to harm him are agents of the law. So even the members of the police would understand this."

‘Inappropriate, questionable’

In Tuguegarao, Cagayan, former justice secretary Leila de Lima questioned how the police served the arrest warrant on Menorca. The senatorial aspirant told Rappler that policemen should be in uniform when they conduct such operations.

"It is questionable. First, are they really police officers, given that they are not in uniform? Second, if they are really police officers, it is very wrong to conduct an operation or you do your job as a police officer without wearing your uniform," she said in a mix of Filipino and English.

De Lima, who was in Tuguegarao on Wednesday for a forum with students of Cagayan State University, said the two policemen who tried to arrest Menorca violated their own operational guidelines in serving warrants of arrest against the accused.

"They should know that because when I was in the CHR (Commission on Human Rights), we helped the PNP (Philippine National Police) in crafting those operational guidelines,” the former CHR chair said.

She said the guidelines were crafted because of increasing complaints of police abuses in the country. – with reports from Katerina Francisco and Raymon Dullana/Rappler.com

Ex-Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo® arrested while on his way to the Court of Appeals. Behind the arrest believed to be the Iglesia Ni Cristo®!

Who else is interested to jail Menorca than the Iglesia Ni Cristo®? Who else was accused behind his illegal abduction in Sorsogon? Who else was behind in putting him to jail in Dasmariñas, Cavite from a false accusation by a false witness? Who else took him from Dasmariñas prison to Net25 owned and managed by the INC™ -- him, ratracting all allegations of abduction by alleged members of INC™ (SCAN)? Now that he is scheduled for a hearing for Writ of Amparo at the Court of Appeals, then the "Warrant of Arrest" was served, very timely. Ano 'yon, nagkataon lamang? At galing pa sa Mindanao ang kaso??? Then INC™ Spokesperson appeared on TV denying all the allegations that they (INC™) were behind the serving of warrant?! Kaya nilang magsinungaling ng harap-harapan?! Sinong pinaglololoko ng INC™!-CD2000

PNP to ask MPD to explain arrest of ex-Iglesia minister Menorca

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

Western Police District director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana takes custody of former INC minister Lowell Menorca. (photo by Robert Amoroso, InterAksyon.com)

MANILA - (UPDATE 3 - 1:47 P.m.) Police arrested Wednesday morning former Iglesia ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca II over a libel case filed the locally grown religious group.

In a radio interview, Menorca’s lawyer Trixie Angeles asked the police to bring Menorca to the Court of Appeals, where they have a scheduled hearing at 10 a.m.

Reacting to allegations that arresting officers may have gone against standard operating procedure, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the Manila Police District will be ordered to explain how it carried out the arrest of Menorca.

“We will be asking the MPD to make an explanation on the arrest of the subject person,” Mayor told reporters at a press briefing in Camp Crame, adding that they have yet to receive the MPD’s report on the incident.

In August, Menorca’s colleague, also former INC minister Isaias Samson Jr. filed an illegal detention complaint against the religious group’s governing council called Sanggunian before the Department of Justice (DOJ). This ignited a five-day protest on EDSA by thousands of INC members, who invoked the separation of church and state under the Constitution.

The issue started July last year, on the eve of the religious group’s 101st founding anniversary when Angel Manalo, brother of executive minister Eduardo Manalo, and their mother Tenny Manalo posted a video on the Internet, asking for help. They said their lives were in danger and that some Iglesia ministers have been "illegally detained."

They also claimed there was corruption in the Iglesia.

The Manalo mother and son have since been expelled from group.

The Iglesia leadership denied the accusations.

The Court Sheriff’s Official Report on Occular Inspection of Angel Manalo's Residence Proves there is a Violation of their Human Rights

Source: INC Silent No More

The Court Sheriff’s Official Report is PROOF!

The INC Leadership thru its INC Legal Department tried to cover up the truth… But one thing about the TRUTH, it will find its way out into the glaring light of day. And once it does, the only people who will not be able to see it… ARE THE BLIND.

Introducing the Court Sheriff and his first-hand account manifested in his official report of the events that happened during the hostile take over of the INC Maintenance workers and the illegal erection of the fences at No. 36 Tandang Sora, the Ancestral Residence of Bro. Eraño G. Manalo.

UNDENIABLE FACTS BY THE COURT OFFICIAL

I heard many brethren were wondering what the Court Sheriff’s Official Report contains…

INC Lawyer’s humiliating denial:

And because the INC lawyers know well enough that they will FAIL MISERABLY IN COURT because they will only be PROVEN GUILTY with all the evidences against them, that’s why they immaturely resorted to this as a clear sign of pathetic desperation:

The INC Lawyers have made the Iglesia Ni Cristo the laughing stock of the whole world with their ill-conceived acts. Even the whole justice community is laughing at these two “unaware” lawyers with their DEMANDING TONE, YET TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THEY DELIBERATELY FAIL TO RESPECT AND FOLLOW THE LAW. SUCH HYPOCRITES!

Nothing much more to say but… Liars will be liars, and Truth will be Truth, no matter what! Now we all know who lying and who’s telling the truth based on the facts presented.

So the now question is… are YOU still UNAWARE?

~ Antonio Ebangelista

KATHRYN BERNARDO, TIWALAG NA BA SA IGLESIA NI CRISTO®-1914?

Gapangan sa Department of Justice (DOJ) at Court of Appeal (CA) ng mga Ministro ng Iglesia Ni Cristo® (INC™), ayon sa kanilang mga kaanib!

"[K]asama kayong mga CFD na mapapahiya sa pagsakay nniyo sa mga malisyosong paratang ng mga dinisiplinang manggagawa (Boyet Menorca) o ministro na gaya ni Isaias Samson dahil sa kanilang mga masamang gawain. Dismiss na yong kaso na isinampa ni Samson laban sa pamamahala ng Iglesia..." komento ng isang kaanib ng INC™ na pinamumunuan ng suwail na anak ng Ka Erdy Manalo na si Ka Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM).

Heto ang balitang tinutukoy niya mula sa Inq.Net

"THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the criminal complaints against the leaders of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) for lack of probable cause.

In two separate resolutions, the DOJ dismissed the separate complaints of expelled INC Minister Isaias Samson and expelled INC member Jose Fruto against the members of Sanggunian, the INC’s highest administrative body.

In dismissing Samson’s complaint, the DOJ said the “complainant failed to offer proof that he was compelled to do something against his will when he was allegedly forced by respondent to execute a written statement admitting his culpability and complicity in the Ebangelista blog.”

The DOJ added that Samson failed to present an “iota of evidence” on his allegation of intimidation and confiscation of his passport, service vehicle, laptop, mobile phone and other personal effects.

'There is nothing in the recitation of facts made by complainant which show that respondents resorted to threat, violence and intimidation when the said articles were taken allegedly upon orders of the Sanggunian,' the resolution stated..."

Ayon sa isang nagngangalang Nelson Maranan, ang pagbasura raw sa kaso laban sa mapaniil na Sanggunian ng INC™ na ipinagtatanggol ni Ka EVM, ay hindi naaayon sa batas dahil GINAPANG daw ito ng mga Ministro ng INC™ sa pangunguna ni BENDITO SANDOVAL. Narito ang kaniyang pahayag...

IPAALAM ITO SA LAHAT
BAKIT MAY GAPANGAN KUNG WALANG KASALANAN!

Benito Affleck with Gard Ener and 38 others.

KA BENDITO B. SANDOVAL tigilan nyo na po ang PANGGAGAPANG sa DOJ at CA kalat na kalat na po sa mga STATE PROSECUTORS at mga JUSTICES ang ginagamit nyo para gapangin ang mga kaso... WRIT of AMPARO po sa CA ay para kung implementahin pang HABANG BUHAY para kina Ka Lowell Menorca II Seikootsuka Menorca, Abegail Yanson at Yurie Menorca... wala pa pong CRIMINAL CASES diyan... may hearing pa sa Dec. 1.
Yang paggapang para gawing PONENTE si JUSTICE YNIGUEZ dahil sa utang na loob na naman ay nakakasira na po ng TODO sa IGLESIA ..
MAINGAY na po na si TOM CABRIDO ang nilalapitan nyo na tauhan ni BINAY...
Si TOM CABRIDO , former city councilor of PASAY CITY, senior consultant of VP Binay, SR consultant of SC Justices of CA (Court of Appeals) and SC ((Supreme Court)
BAKIT kailangang GAPANGIN kung walang KASALANAN ??? PARA ALISIN SA KASO SI EVM at ang gawin nyong SACRIFICIAL yun lang mga inutusang PULIS???
NAGTATAKA ka kung bakit alam ko at bakit may ACCESS ako para malaman??? FYI, apo ako ng isa sa MAGITING na
DATING CHIEF OF JUSTICE ng SUPREME COURT na hangga ngayon ay KINIKILALA at NIRERESPETO ng mga JUSTICES sa CA at SC...
Tandaan mo maraming MATA ang nakasubaybay sa INYO na di nyo kayang BAYARAN

Hindi naman kataka-taka ang ganitong bintang ng mga dating kaanib nila sapagkat ALAM na ALAM nila ang KALAKARAN ng kanilang mga Ministro. Sino pa ba ang magbubulatlat ng kanilang mga baho kundi sila-sila rin. Isa pa, ang Iglesia Ni Cristo® ay isang "MAKAPANGYARIHANG SEKTA" ayon sa mga mamamahayag. Malakas ang kapit sa mga kapulisan, sa hukuman at maging sa paghahanap-buhay at pananalapi. Halos pinapasok na nila lahat ang iba't ibang sektor ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng pagla-LOBBY sa Pulitika. 

Hindi po "himala" ang pagkaka-dismiss ng kaso ng mga tiwalag na Ministro kung totoong ginapang ng mga Ministro ng INC™ ang pagkaka-dismiss nito.

Kahiya-hiya pero ito na marahil ang normal na kalakaran sa loob ng INC™ ni Felix Y. Manalo.

Ipagdasal na lamang nating mga Katoliko na sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga pagsubok ay malukuban sila ng Banal na Espiritu at maliwanagan upang sila'y BUMALIK sa TUNAY na IGLESIA NI CRISTO na TATAG ni CRISTO at hindi ng taong si Felix Manalo-- walang iba kundi ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA (Pasugo Abril 1966, p. 46).

Ex-INC minister's house help: Leaders force my family to lie -Rappler

Kung ang KASINUNGALINGAN ang sinasaligan ng pamunuan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo®, marapat lamang na hindi karapat-dapat na na ikabit ang pangalan ni CRISTO na Panginoon at Diyos sa kanyang pangalan sapagkat sila ay mga alagad ng KASAMAAN at KADILIMAN! Naghahari na ngayon si Satasa sa INC™ in Manalo! Panalangin sana namin na lisanin na ito bago pa man kayo mapahamak sa kasamaan nito.

Halina't bumalik na kayo sa tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo-- ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA!

Ex-INC minister's house help: Leaders force my family to lie

(2nd UPDATE [Source: Rappler]) 'Napakasakit po. Nagagalit ako sa mga Sanggunian,' says Abegail Yanson, house help of ex-INC minister Lowell Menorca, in a video obtained by Rappler

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Abegail Yanson, the house help of former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca, insisted she was not abducted by her boss as she denied the claims of her own parents.

In a video obtained by Rappler, a tearful Yanson belied claims that Menorca abducted her. She added that the INC’s Sanggunian (Council), or top leadership, is forcing her family to lie.

“Walang katotohanan na hindi ako pinapayagang umuwi,” Yanson said in the video provided by incdefenders.org. (It’s not true that I'm not allowed to go home)

Reacting to the video, INC spokesman Brother Edwil Zabala said in a text message to Rappler: "As stated earlier, we are confident that the truth shall prevail in this current controversy and that our officials will be vindicated by our judicial system. We continue to pray for all those affected by, and involved in, these cases."

Zabala added: “Mahirap na pag-usapan ito sa media dahil ang mga taong nasasangkot lalo na ay nakapagbigay na ng kanilang mga judicial affidavits sa Court of Appeals. Ang mga bagay pong ito ay sub judice na. Ang sinuman na mangangahas na gumamit ng anumang mga pahayag na kasalukuyang dinidinig ay maaaring ma-contempt."

(It is difficult to talk about this in media because the persons involved, most especially, have submitted their judicial affidavits to the Court of Appeals. These cases are now sub judice. Whoever dares to use any statement that is being heard, can be cited in contempt.)

Menorca faces a serious illegal detention complaint for supposedly prohibiting Yanson from seeing her family since being brought to Manila from Bulan, Sorsogon, last July. (READ: INC minister Lowell Menorca: The story of my kidnapping)

But Yanson said it was her own decision to stay. “Sinasabihan na po ako ni Ka Jinky [Menorca, wife of Lowell Menorca]: 'Ano Abby, uuwi ka na ba?' Pero hindi ko po kayang iwan si Ka Jinky dahil nararamdaman ko po, may mangyayaring hindi maganda sa akin o sa kay Ka Jinky kaya hindi ko po sinunod na uuwi ako. Nanatili ako sa kanila,” she said.

(Ka Jinky told me: 'Abby, are you going home?' But I couldn’t leave Ka Jinky behind because I already felt that something bad was going to happen to me or to Ka Jinky. That’s why I didn’t go home. I chose to stay with them.)

'Takot silang matiwalag'

Yanson said her family, including her parents who filed the case against Menorca, are being used by the Sanggunian. “Sana palayain na po silang… hayaan 'nyo po silang pasalitain na wala pong bantay… Masakit po para sa akin na makita ko 'yung mga magulang ko sa TV na puro kasinungalingan ang sinasabi laban sa mag-asawa,” she said.

(Let them go. Let them speak without someone guarding them. It’s painful for me to see my parents on TV spewing lies against the Menorcas.)

Yanson added: “Napakasakit po. Nagagalit ako sa mga Sanggunian. Sobrang nagagalit po ako kasi magulang ko na po 'yung hawak, kapatid ko… tapos po kung anu-ano po ang salitang pinagsasabi nila na alam nilang hindi totoo. Kaya po nila sinasabi 'yun dahil tinatakot sila. Tinatakot silang matiwalag.”

(It pains me. I am angry at the Sanggunian. I am very angry because they’re controlling my parents, my sibling… and they force them to tell these lies under threat. They’re threatening to kick them out of INC.)

“Tiwalag” is a term that refers to those expelled from the INC.

Yanson ended her video with a message to her parents and the INC's leadership.

"Ma, Pa… alam 'nyo namang hindi magagawa sa akin 'yan ng mag-asawa. Na kidnapin ako, i-detain ako, pilitin nila akong isama. Napakabait nila sa atin, sa mga kapatid, sa akin… alam 'nyo na alam ko na hindi nila kayang gawin 'yan sa akin. 'Wag kayong magpagamit, sabihin 'nyo ang totoo. Nananawagan ako sa INC, sa Sanggunian. Hayaan 'nyo po ang magulang at kapatid ko, hayaan 'nyo na silang magsalita ng katotohanan. Huwag 'nyo po sanang pilitin pa sila sa mga kasinungalingan lalo na’t hindi totoo dahil ako po mismo ang kusang sumama kay Ka Jinky, sa mag-asawa."

(Ma, Pa, you know that the Menorca couple would never do that to me – kidnap me, detain me, force me to go with them. They've been so kind to us, to our brethren, to me. You know that I know they would never harm me. Don't allow yourselves to be used, tell the truth. I call on the INC, the Sanggunian, to let my parents and sibling be. Let them speak the truth. Don't force them to lie because I chose to stay with Ka Jinky out of my own will.)

Detained minister

Menorca is among the former INC officials who were supposedly ordered detained by the local church’s top brass, over a scandal that has rocked the influential religious group. His detention was allegedly because of his criticisms of the INC’s leadership, which is being accused of pocketing the group’s funds for their own benefit.

The Menorca family – Lowell, Jinky, and other members of their household – were rescued late October after months of supposedly being held against their will inside the INC compound in Quezon City.

The Supreme Court later on issued writs of habeas corpus and amparo for Menorca, his wife, Yanson, and Yurie Keiko Otsuka.

Menorca's lawyer, Trixie Cruz Angeles, previously told the Court of Appeals that a woman, supposedly from the police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, had tried to force Yanson to come with her during the hour-long recess in the proceedings. Angeles said this was proof that her clients need the protection offered by a writ of amparo.

The INC's lawyer belied those claims, saying the commotion was only because Yanson's mother was stopped from approaching her daughter. Yanson herself said she did not know the woman who approached her.

The serious illegal detention case against Menorca was filed the day after Menorca faced the CA for the first hearing on the former minister's petition for writs of habeas corpus and amparo. – Rappler.com

FELIX MANALO the movie (Bakit walang "Huling Sugo" sa kanyang pangalan?)

RAPPLER: Reform movement within INC

Or rather, they need to break-down and RETURN to the ORIGINAL CHURCH OF CHRIST!

PASUGO Abril 1966, p. 46: “Ang Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay siyang Iglesia ni Cristo."

PASUGO July August 1988 pp. 6. “Even secular history shows a direct time link between the Catholic Church and the Apostles, leading to the conclusion that the true Church of Christ is the Catholic Church.”

PASUGO March-April 1992, p. 22 "The Church of Christ during the time of the Apostles became the Catholic Church of the bishops in the second century..."

Source: Rappler.com

The INC is no longer the same. It is a sect that has enormous baggage to bear.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is a young sect with old ideas. It operates in a time warp. Although it is only a century old, the INC is basically a medieval sect with outmoded norms. It is a sect hardly attuned to the modern times.

It thrives in the secrecy of its leaders and the blind obedience of its members. Because of the secrecy of their leaders, they are hardly accountable to their followers. Secrecy and lack of accountability are two sides of the same coin; they characterize INC operations.

In this age of ecumenism and greater tolerance among world’s biggest organized religions, the INC is a complete stranger, a religious outcast. Its leaders openly brag that theirs is “the only true religion” and that “only its flock would be saved from spiritual perdition and decay.”

The INC is an epitome of religious bigotry and ethnocentrism; its xenophobia extends to its assertion that any other religion, except INC, is doomed.

It is monolithic. It hardly welcomes contrary views, or criticism, either from the inside or from the outside. What its leaders say is the law. Anybody who disagrees or disobeys faces expulsion, or excommunication from a religious standpoint.

Will the INC survive the modern world? Will it continue to wield influence in Philippine society? These are just some of the questions confronting the indigenous sect.

‘Religion of the sheep’

Writing for the pre-martial law newspaper Manila Chronicle, columnist Indalucio “Yeyeng” Soliongco criticized the INC in the late 1960s and early 1970s for its practice of bloc voting, where its flock voted as one for the candidates its leaders endorsed in every political exercise.

Soliongco described the INC as “the religion of the sheep,” as its members renounced their right to think during elections and accept as gospel truth whatever their leaders urged them to write on their ballots. The members hardly participate until today in the selection process of the candidates the INC leaders would endorse.

Its leaders have been justifying this practice of bloc voting as its way to project political strength to avoid religious persecution. It is an argument that runs to counter to political realities. The country does not have modern day traditions of religious violence or persecution. Religious harmony is the frequent theme when it comes to inter-relationship among local organized religions.

Over the years, the INC has evolved from a ragtag group of religious zealots to an influential and powerful political broker. Politicians seeking the support of its flock openly make a beeline to ingratiate themselves with its leaders for political support.

Its leaders have claimed an INC membership of nine to ten million members nationwide, although critics said its political clout is widely exaggerated by mass media, which keeps on referring to the INC as “influential” and “powerful.”

Empirical studies said the INC could provide between a low 1.2 million votes to a high of 2 million in modern-day elections. While the INC could provide the swing vote for hotly contested national and local posts, it could hardly determine the outcome.

Recent trends show that other minor ministries like the Ang Dating Daan, Jesus is Lord, Philippine Independent Church, and other Christian ministries elect the rivals of the INC-supported candidates, virtually cancelling each other out.

Corruption charges

Fast forward to 2016 and the nation sees an INC teetering on a major scandal.

The seal on the cloak of secrecy has been broken as certain leaders (or ex-leaders, as they have been excommunicated) have come forward to denounce alleged corruption within the sect and other crimes, like abduction, among others.

The allegations of corruption were so serious, causing political, financial, legal, and moral issues within the secretive sect. Tithe collections from its flock were reported to have declined by half. Centrifugal tendencies within the sect have been noticed as certain followers were reported to have either resigned or distanced from the sect.

The scandal has cascaded to become a crisis.

Failed mass action

The recent 5-day mass protest action was meant to pressure the Aquino administration to drop the probe by the Department of Justice into a complaint filed by former INC leader Isaias Samson Jr against the eight members of the INC Sangguniang Lupon. It did not result in any gain for the monolithic sect.

The INC on Monday, August 31 officially ended their 5-day protest
citing a "peaceful agreement" with the government. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

What it has galvanized is public opinion that expresses contempt for the massive inconvenience its mass action had caused to tens of thousands of commuters, who were stranded along EDSA and other side streets. It also showed what could be regarded as cracks within the organization, as it could hardly mobilize the desired number of participants in the protest rally.

Hence, its crisis extends to the outside world, or the non-INC members.

Hence, the INC is no longer the same. It is a sect that has enormous baggage to bear. It is an organization that has been torn asunder by corruptions and other acts of impropriety. Whether it could transcend its current crisis – and later survive – bears watching.

Reforming the INC

Now, the INC faces serious calls and agitations to undergo reforms. Internally, the calls range from greater transparency, particularly in the handling of its finances that could reach billions of pesos, to accountability of its leaders on operational issues.