MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Lowell “Boyet” Menorca II, a minister from Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) who was allegedly abducted by church officials, has been released from the Dasmariñas City Police Station in Cavite.

Jailer PO1 Mervin Micosa confirmed this to Rappler on Sunday morning, July 26. Micosa said Menorca was released at 6:56 pm on Saturday, July 25. 

Micosa said he saw Menorca leave with Allen Blair Boy, a lawyer sent by the INC to represent the minister.

The jailer pointed out that the Office of the City Prosecutor of Dasmariñas City issued a release order on Saturday, even if it was a weekend.

This was confirmed by Persida Acosta, chief of the Public Attorney’s Office. “Na-release na po si Ka Boyet, based sa release order; the complaint [against Menorca] was withdrawn,” she said in a text message. (Ka Boyet was released, based on the release order; the complaint against Menorca was withdrawn.)

Rappler repeatedly tried to reach Boy to confirm the release, but he has not replied to any of our text messages and calls as of posting time.

His and Menorca’s whereabouts remain unknown.

‘Not abducted’

According to official police reports, Menorca was arrested in Dasmariñas on Friday, July 17, for allegedly threatening two construction workers with a hand grenade.

However, a certain “Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista”, an apparent pen name of an Iglesia member, said that Menorca was one of several INC ministers who were allegedly kidnapped for being critical of the 100-year-old church.

This was confirmed by other INC members interviewed by Rappler.

Ebangelista’s blog said Menorca was handcuffed while officiating a worship service in Sorsogon. A white cloth was then thrown over his face before he was allegedly taken away by members of the INC’s Sanggunian (Council).

INC sources said Menorca was assigned to Sorsogon and had to have permission from higher-ups to leave his post. They found it strange for Menorca to have been arrested on Aguinaldo Highway in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

In an interview with Rappler early afternoon of Saturday, July 25, Boy denied the account in Ebangelista’s blog. He showed what, he said, is an affidavit by Menorca, where the INC minister wrote:

The affidavit was signed by Menorca and Boy. Captain Valero Abao Bueno, administrative officer in the Dasmariñas jail, also signed the document.

He personally confirmed to Rappler that the affidavit was indeed signed by Menorca and Boy in his presence.

Boy said Ebangelista was lying about Menorca. “Sino po ba ng magsasabi ng totoo, si Antonio Ebangelista na di natin alam kung sino talaga, o ‘yung kliyente mismo na subject nung kaso?” (READ: Expelled INC minister: Don’t cover up wrongdoing)

(Who is telling the truth, Antonio Ebangelista whose identity we don’t really know, or my client who is the subject of the case?)

Boy said he also has proof of Menorca authorizing him to be his official legal counsel:

However, INC insiders like Facebook user “Sher Lock” are questioning these affidavits, hinting that Menorca may have signed these because he was under duress by INC officials. Rappler spoke with an Iglesia member who echoed these fears. The member, who requested anonymity for fear of being expelled from the church, said Boy does not belong to “their side.”

The INC administration directed Menorca’s case to Boy, a legal aid in New Era University.

Sher Lock, who has anonymously exposed corruption in the INC, posted at 10 pm on Saturday:

Menorca has not yet appeared in public to speak about his ordeal himself. Boy said this is only because his client wishes to keep his case “private.”

The INC lawyer also maintained that Menorca’s case has nothing to do with the recent controversy involving INC and the Manalo family. (READ: Manalo brother hits Iglesia ni Cristo ‘corruption’)

Menorca’s wife and child

Another INC minister told dzMM that Menorca’s wife and child are missing as well.

“Pati siya (Menorca’s wife) po ay hindi na nakaalis sa opisina. Pati siya at pati ang anak nila na isang taon [gulang] pa lang ay nawawala din hanggang ngayon. Hindi sila lumulutang,” said Joy Yuson, a former administrative coordinator of INC’s TV arm and a former INC member for more than 20 years.

(Even Menorca’s wife was not able to leave her office. She and their one-year-old child are now also missing. They have not surfaced.)

Boy said this is false. He also denied that Menorca’s wife and child were abducted.

He said Menorca’s wife has been able to speak with her husband over the phone because Boy calls her when he visits Menorca.

Asked why Menorca’s wife was not able to visit her husband in jail, Boy said: “Ayaw po niyang (Menorca) makita siya ng asawa at anak niya sa ganitong kalagayan. Ayaw din po niya na madawit pa ang asawa at anak niya sa kanyang problema sapagka’t gusto niya na maging pribado lang ang buhay ng kanyang pamilya.”

(He doesn’t want his wife and child to see him in this condition. He doesn’t want them to be affected by his problem because he just wants a private life for his family.) – Rappler.com