Iglesia lawyers question consistency of Menorca wife’s ‘abduction’ statement
Lawyers of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) noted on the inconsistency of the statement of Jinky Otsuka Menorca, wife of expelled minister Lowell Menorca during the continuation of the hearing on the writ of amparo filed by Menorca’s brother Anthony and Jungko, Jingky’s twin sister.
During cross examination, Jinky admitted that she did not personally see her husband being taken by armed men including a police from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) last July.
READ: Iglesia, Menorca lawyers clash at CA: Reversal of raps/protection | Ex-Iglesia ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca confirms abduction
The petition filed by Anthony Menorca and Jungko Otsuka stated that “his [Lowell’s] wife, Jinky Otsuka witnessed the taking of Lowell and [that she] would have been taken herself, had she not grabbed a knife and threatened to stab the officers of the church and the policewoman who came to ‘arrest’ her.”
“Abegail Yanson told you Lowell was picked up?” the INC counsel asked.
“Yes,” Jinky said.
“So, you did not see how Ka Lowell was picked up,” the INC lawyer asked, to which Jinky said yes.
“So, this is false,” the lawyer asked, to which Jinky answered “hindi po nakita ng mata ko (my own eyes were not able to see [the act]).”
During re-direct, Jinky clarified that she only saw the petition filed by her brother-in-law and sister when they were rescued from detention.
She also said that while she and her family can roam around the INC premises in Quezon City, they have security escorts carrying firearms.
She said they were also able to take her baby daughter to the New Era Hospital and go to the Philippine Arena with escorts.
Jinky also belied claims that they are also able to go to the malls.
“Lagi nila kami pinapangakuan na makakalaya na po kami, na matatapos na ito,” she said
(They always promise us that we will be freed, that this will be over.)
READ: Accused INC officials snub DOJ hearings
Also during the hearing, the Court of Appeals imposed a P2,000 fine to the counsels of Menorca for failure to submit on time the affidavit of their witnesses.
The court took a one-hour break this afternoon with househelp Abegail Yanson taking the witness stand. CDG
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