Manila cops file resisting arrest charges vs Menorca

Senior Asst. City Prosecutor Cecilia B. Parallag with former INC member Lowell Menorca, whose earlier arrest by MPD policemen stemmed from a libel case. LYN RILLON

MANILA police officers filed charges of resisting arrest, direct assault and obstruction of justice against former Iglesia Ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca II and his companions at the Manila fiscal’s office Wednesday evening following an altercation between the two groups earlier that day.

Ermita Police station commander Supt. Albert Barot said in a text message that the charges were filed against Menorca by officers from Pandacan police station who arrested the former Wednesday morning in Manila because of a libel case filed against him in Mindanao.

Earlier reports said that Menorca, who was with his wife and another companion, tried to fight off the arresting officers and the incident triggered a commotion. Menorca was eventually arrested and brought to the Ermita station.

Barot said that according to Menorca’s lawyer Trixie Angeles, Menorca will post P10,000 bail on Thursday for the libel case filed against him.