Iglesia vows to face issues with dignity, faith in justice system
Tarpaulins that read “One with EVM” are hung outside the church of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Los Baños, Laguna. INQUIRER PHOTO
Asking its brethren to remain calm amid allegations rocking the influential religious sect, the leadership of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has vowed to face the issues being hurled against them “with dignity and with full confidence in the fairness of our justice system.”
This was what INC spokesperson and minister Edwil Zabala said on Wednesday in response to the revelations of ousted minister Lowell Menorca II that he was abducted supposedly with the involvement of police personnel and illegally detained with his family at the religious sect’s central compound in Quezon City for almost three months.
Menorca also disclosed that his abduction was supposed to be a prelude to a murder plot against him, on the grounds that he was allegedly the blogger who exposed corruption practices of the religious sect.
READ: Iglesia ni Cristo pastor confirms kidnap | Ousted Iglesia ni Cristo leader bares murder plot
“In this time of great tribulation, we ask our brethren to remain calm and continue praying for our Church. Rest assured that the Church leadership will face all the issues with dignity and with full confidence in the fairness of our justice system,” Zabala said in a statement.
Last week, the Supreme Court also ordered the INC to produce Menorca and his missing relatives in court, following the writs of habeas corpus and amparo filed by the latter’s kin. Menorca’s younger brother Anthony and sister-in-law Jungko Otsuka asked the high court to compel INC to bring their missing relatives before the court.
READ: CA’s 7th division to handle case vs Iglesia ni Cristo leaders | SC asked to order Iglesia leaders to produce missing members
Zabala also urged Filipinos to refrain from pre-judging INC out of “baseless speculation and reckless accusations,” as it would not contribute to achieving justice.
“To our fellow Filipinos, we appeal for open-mindedness, objectivity, and understanding. We likewise call for circumspection in the face of baseless speculation and reckless accusations that do not contribute to efforts to obtain justice for all those involved,” Zabala said.
The SC has ordered the Court of Appeals to conduct a hearing on the INC case on Nov. 3 and resolve the case within 10 days upon its submission for resolution, while the Philippine National Police said it would probe the police’s alleged role in Menorca’s abduction and detention. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/RC
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