INC minister being held in Cavite jail

DASMARIÑAS CITY – One of the ministers reportedly expelled from the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has been arrested and is detained in a police station in this city.

Supt. Joseph Arguelles, the city chief, confirmed on Thursday that the police have Lowell Robasa Menorca II, 38, in their custody.

He however refused to let the Inquirer see Menorca without the permission of the detainee’s counsel.

Arguelles said Menorca was arrested around 6 a.m. on July 17 in Barangay Zone 4 along Aguinaldo Highway.

Menorca was arrested after he reportedly threatened two men with a live grenade.

“He appeared to be confused and seemed not to be in his right mind,” Arguelles said, quoting the complainants Delfin Padua and Edwin Naling.

According to the police, Padua and Naling, who were construction workers, noticed Menorca staring at them.

“(Menorca) said ‘Do you want me to detonate this?'” Arguelles said.

The construction workers then realized that the hand grenade was taped and seized Menorca before turning him over to the police.

He was charged with grave threat and illegal possession of explosives.