Kathlyn dela Cruz, ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-social"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRREvAlYmMI" width="510"></iframe></figure>MANILA (UPDATED) - The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is not surprised that former minister Lowell Menorca has again dragged the church&#x27;s name into yet another controversy, the religious sect&#x27;s spokesperson said Wednesday.INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, maintained that they had no hand in the arrest of the expelled member.&quot;Ang nag-serve ng warrant ay hindi naman kami, hindi naman ang organisayon ng Iglesia ni Cristo. Ang nag-serve ng warrant ay mga kawani, kinatawan ng kapulisan. At yung pagse-serve nila ay sila yung may kontrol kung saan at kailan nila maaaring gawin yun. Wala kaming kinalaman doon,&quot; Zabala said.Menorca, who earlier alleged that he was abducted by policemen on orders from the INC leadership for being supposedly involved in the controversial anti-INC blog of a certain Antonio Ebangelista, was on his way to the Court of Appeals (CA) this morning to attend a hearing on his petition for writs of amparo and habeas corpus when he was arrested for libel by cops in plainclothes.READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/01/20/16/ex-inc-minister-menorca-arrested-on-way-to-court">Ex-INC minister Menorca arrested on way to court</a>Zabala confirmed that the libel complaint against Menorca was filed by INC members who are part of the church&#x27;s medical and rescue units, after the former INC minister accused them of engaging in criminal activities.&quot;These are members of the church. Some of them are doctors, nurses. Some of them are paramedicals. Some of them are ordinary citizens who are members of the SCAN [Society of Communicators and Networks] International,&quot; Zabala said.&quot;I believe that they heard or saw the interview given by Mr. Menorca where he was accusing them of engaging in activities which are illegal and they are the ones who filed the case. If you were in the position of these members of the church, that would be painful to hear yourself being accused of engaging in criminal activities,&quot; he added.Zabala, however, stressed that the complainants filed the case as individuals and not as representatives of the church, adding that they did not need any permission from the INC leadership to pursue the case.He said the INC cannot stop its members from choosing the legal route to air their grievances against Menorca.He said he is also not aware why the case was filed in Mindanao. The arrest warrant against Menorca was issued by the Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte trial court.<div>&#x27;NOT ALL ARRESTING COPS ARE INC MEMBERS&#x27;</div>Zabala also vehemently denied the accusation of Menorca that the INC perpetrated his arrest so as to block his testimony at the CA.Zabala pointed out that their legal team was actually present at the CA, anticipating the appearance of Menorca.&quot;Para sabihin na ayaw naming matuloy, gaya nung alegasyon kanina na ayaw naming matuloy yung hearing sa Court of Appeals... yun ay isang malaking kamalian.&quot;Ang totoo ay gusto nating matuloy yan sapagkat naninindigan kami, kaya naming patunayan na yung mga alegasyon ni Mr. Menorca laban sa Iglesia ni Cristo o laban sa ilang kaanib at pamunuan ng INC ay walang katotohanan, at kaya naming patunayan yun sa korte,&quot; he said.He also took exception to Menorca&#x27;s claim of conflict of interest against the police officer who led his arrest, Pandacan Police Station head Supt. Ed Leonardo.Leonardo, in an interview on radio dzMM, admitted that he is a <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/nation/metro-manila/01/20/16/cop-who-arrested-menorca-is-iglesia-member">member of the INC</a>.Zabala said whether or not the police officer is a member of the INC is not the issue, saying the arresting cops were only fulfilling their sworn duties.During the press conference, Zabala also presented a video of an interview with one of the arresting officers, whom he identified as PO3 Santos. Santos, he stressed, is not a member of the INC.Santos alleged that after they presented the arrest warrant, Menorca&#x27;s wife grabbed it from them and hid it inside their vehicle.&quot;Tapos saka po siya lumabas [at sumigaw] nang, &#x27;Wala kayong warrant, wala kayong mapakitang badge, wala kayong mapakitang ID!&#x27; Paano ko po mapapakita yung ID ko nasa kanya na saka yung warrant?&quot; Santos claimed.The arresting officer also said he was kicked by one of the Menorca couple&#x27;s companions.WATCH: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/01/20/16/watch-cop-grabs-menorca-as-wife-screams-tulungan-niyo-kami">Cop grabs Menorca as wife screams &#x27;tulungan niyo kami&#x27;</a><div>&#x27;WE WILL BE VINDICATED&#x27;</div>The INC spokesperson said they are no longer surprised that Menorca has again dragged the church&#x27;s name into the whole controversy regarding his libel case and subsequent arrest.But Zabala said the church leadership is confident that they will eventually be vindicated.&quot;Hindi na po bagong bagay sa amin sapagkat nagawa nga po niyang gawan kami ng storya na humantong pa sa korte, kaya kung pagkatapos nun ay meron pa siyang mga ibang bagay na sasabihin tungkol sa Iglesia ni Cristo, na sa tuwing may mangyayari sa kanya ay Iglesia ni Cristo ang itinuturo niya, so what else is new?&quot; he said.&quot;An arrest warrant was issued and that it was served this morning is beyond the control of the complainants since that was dependent on the police finding the opportunity to serve it.&quot;We implore the public to be more circumspect with their assessment. The Iglesia ni Cristo has confidence in the legal process and we trust that we will eventually be vindicated,&quot; he said.Zabala urged Menorca to just face the charges against him and prove his allegations against the INC leadership if he has the evidence.&quot;Nagbigay siya ng alegasyon. Sana mag-abang ang publiko nasan na yung pruweba niya. Kung tumatagal ang panahon na walang inilalabas na pruweba, matalino ang publiko, mahahalata rin nila na, &#x27;Ay, mayaman sa alegasyon pero hungkag, zero pagdating sa pruweba.&#x27;&quot;At kung ganun, walang kinakailangang gawin ang Iglesia ni Cristo kundi hintayin lang, lilitaw ang totoo,&quot; said Zabala.

MANILA (UPDATED) - The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is not surprised that former minister Lowell Menorca has again dragged the church's name into yet another controversy, the religious sect's spokesperson said Wednesday. 

We will be vindicated, INC says

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We will be vindicated, INC says

Kathlyn dela Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 20, 2016 09:31 PM PHT

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Iglesia ni Cristo

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