PNP vows to enforce law ‘without fear, favor’ on Menorca ‘abduction’

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez. INQUIRER.net/JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS

The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed that it would not fear nor favor anyone in making individuals–including policemen–liable over the abduction of expelled Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II.

“Ang ginagawa ng Philippine National Police ay law enforcement without fear or favor. Hindi pinaguusapan ‘yung race, creed, o religion dito sa trabaho ng PNP. If somebody violates the law, the PNP will act accordingly,” PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said in a press briefing on Monday.

Menorca on Sunday revealed that the INC’s advisory council or “Sanggunian” wanted him killed after being accused of exposing the alleged corruption and power struggle in the religious sect.

READ: Ex-minister: Iglesia ni Cristo leadership wanted me killed | Ousted Iglesia ni Cristo leader bares murder plot

In July, Menorca was kidnapped by armed men kidnapped in Bulan, Sorsogon and was then detained at Dasmariñas City Police station. The dismissed minister accused a former Quezon City police chief of leading his abduction.

Marquez, who was rumored to have been lobbied by the influential religious group for the top PNP post, vowed to punish policemen who will be found involved in the incident.

“The cleansing of ranks in the PNP is done daily. We continue to make sure that appropriate actions are instituted, implemented against our people who are involved in any illegal activities,” he said.

Marquez said the PNP will ask Menorca’s camp to “substantiate their allegations.”

Menorca’s counsel Trixie Angeles said they would identify police official behind the kidnapping in court.

While in Dasmariñas City, Menorca was charged with grave threat and illegal possession of explosives after he allegedly threatened to hurl a grenade at two construction workers along Aguinaldo Highway.

But Menorca said it was Quezon City policemen who lobbed a grenade into the car he was riding near a cemetery in Dasmariñas. The grenade did not go off.

The Dasmariñas policemen sent to finish him off then took pity on him and just charged him for allegedly possessing a grenade. From the police station, Menorca was transferred to the INC Central Temple complex in Quezon City on July 25.

In October 21, National Bureau of Investigation agents rescued Menorca at a house in Fairview, Quezon City.

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