“Mr. Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) is an oppressor and violator of human rights of anyone who dares criticize him. This is why all members of the INC are required to be ‘One with EVM’ and to strictly adhere to the church mantra of ‘Obey and Never Complain!" - Lowell Mecorca III

READ: Expelled INC members blast Manalo’s appointment as PH special envoy
By: Jun Nucum - @inquirerdotnet
INQUIRER.net US Bureau / 01:54 AM February 27, 2018

Christmas in Our Hearts - A Message Against EJK

Arestado ang mga Sumusuway sa Pamamahala ni Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) ng 'Iglesia Ni Cristo'® (INC™)

SUSPECTED ANTI-IGLESIA BLOGGER ARRESTED

Rovic Canono is arrested over a case allegedly instigated by the INC. Canono is suspected to be behind the critical blogs against the powerful church, an allegation he denies.

By Katerina Francisco @kaifrancisco
Rappler.com / 11/30/2016

DETAINED. INC member Rovic Canono is detained in Camp Karingal over a case filed by his ex-wife. Sourced photo

MANILA, Philippines – An expelled member of the influential homegrown church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has been arrested over a case filed by his wife, allegedly under the instigation of the church leadership.

Rovic Canono was arrested and detained in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, on Friday, November 11, for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the anti-violence against women and children act.

Canono is accused of violating Sections 5(h) and (i) of RA 9262, which refer to causing emotional or psychological distress to the woman or her child, and causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule, or humiliation.

Canono is reportedly suspected of being behind social media accounts critical of the church leadership.

Over the past year, the Facebook account "Sher Lock" and the blog "Silent No More" have been running stories alleging corruption within the church's ranks. The blog and Facebook page have also posted stories on the alleged abductions of church ministers and harassment of the estranged siblings of INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, in an ongoing issue that has rocked the church since July last year. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

The bench warrant of arrest against Canono was issued by Judge Jacqueline Martin-Balictar of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 9.

The charge against Canono was filed by his wife, with whom he has been separated for several years. Rappler learned that Canono was taken from his condominium in Eastwood, Quezon City by armed operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit wearing civilian clothing.

Instead of being brought to the nearby police station inside Eastwood, however, Canono was taken to Camp Karingal in Sikatuna Village, about 5 kilometers away from the Central Temple of Iglesia.

According to a joint affidavit of arrest filed by the arresting police officers, Canono allegedly violently resisted arrest and had tried to call for help from his friends instead of contacting a lawyer. SPO1 Luisito Ubias and PO1 Mario Morales allegedly sustained injuries from the incident.

Canono is now facing an additional complaint of direct assault and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.

Wilfredo Santos from the INC's legal department has taken on the case against Canono. The INC-run news network Net25 was already in Camp Karingal when Canono arrived.

Lawyer Rene Saguisag – also the counsel for the estranged Manalo siblings – is handling Canono's case.

Rappler contacted Bro. Edwil Zabala, spokesman for the INC, for comment, but there has been no reply as of Sunday afternoon. This story will be updated once a statement or comment from the INC is released.

Similar to Menorca?

According to the "Silent No More" blog, the circumstances of Canono's arrest were similar to those of expelled member Lowell Menorca II. In July 2015, Menorca was illegally detained for nearly 3 months under alleged orders of the church's leaders, and was previously arrested in Dasmariñas, Cavite, for alleged illegal possession of an explosive. The charge is a non-bailable offense.

Menorca at the time pointed to the INC's Sanggunian or Council as the perpetrators behind his arrest and illegal detention. Later an adultery case was filed against him.

In March 2016, Menorca left the country with his family, citing an alleged death threat and continued harassment from his critics.

In a message to Rappler, Menorca said that Canono's arrest was "all too familiar" to him, and that the operation had "all the fingerprints of the well-coordinated and influenced efforts of a very powerful institution."

"I know that the pattern will emerge soon enough to reveal the powerful hand behind these series of seemless events and circumstances that can only be possible, as orchestrated by a very influential force that has perfected this craft of inquisition against those whom they consider enemies for being critical of the church," he said.

Menorca added that since Canono's case can be resolved by posting bail, he may be charged with numerous other cases to either keep him in jail or exhaust his financial resources.

The "Silent No More" blog also posted a photo of a letter supposedly written by Canono in July 2015. According to the letter, Canono had been told that he was being "hunted down by a group of men" upon the orders of the INC leaders.

INC TO BLAME? The "Silent No More" blog posts a letter supposedly written by Rovic Canono in July 2015. Photo from Silent No More blog

The letter contained a list of names "[to] be held accountable if harm/death" happens to him or his family.

The list included the INC executive minister, his wife, Babylyn; INC auditor Glicerio Santos Jr, and other church officials. – Rappler.com

Note: We initially referred to Rovic Canono as a member of the INC. We have since updated the story to reflect his status as an expelled member.

Human rights violations? Manalo siblings' lawyers seek court's help

The camp of Lottie Manalo-Hemedez and Angel Manalo, estranged siblings of Iglesia executive minister Eduardo Manalo, has filed an urgent motion to allow them to enter the controversial 36 Tandang Sora compound

RAIN OR SHINE. Lawyer Rene Saguisag (in black jacket) waits outside the contested 36 Tandang Sora compound to talk to Angel Manalo and Lottie Manalo-Hemedez, estranged siblings of INC leader Eduardo Manalo. Rappler sourced photo

Rappler.com

Published 1:14 PM, October 13, 2016

Updated 1:14 PM, October 13, 2016

The tension surrounding the controversial 36 Tandang Sora property seems to be far from over.

On Wednesday, October 12, the camp of Lottie Manalo-Hemedez and Angel Manalo, estranged siblings of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eduardo Manalo, filed an urgent motion at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) Branch 88 to let lawyers enter the contested compound.

According to the motion penned by human rights lawyer Rene Saguisag, who replaced Trixie Cruz-Angeles as counsel, they had tried to get access to the compound to talk to the Manalo siblings on September 12, 19, and 23. However, they were either met with silence or blocked by INC security.

“The first time we went a month ago, we stood outside the gate in the wind and rain for hours and left frustrated,” Saguisag wrote. “We went 5 days later and found the gates still barred but without the security we dealt with the first time. There was a light at the left side which was quickly turned off. A voice we heard from the unopened side small gate and we pled for entry, in vain."

“The following Friday, absolutely nothing, and we left after 20 minutes. No one to talk with at all,” he added.

Manalo and Hemedez claimed they have been harassed as they continue to assert their right to the property: Walls were built to enclose the compound, water supply has been shut down, and electricity bills left unpaid. (READ: After P1M unpaid Meralco bill, power cut in INC Manalo house)

Together with their respective families, the Manalo siblings have remained inside the QC compound since being expelled from the INC, following corruption allegations against the leadership.

The latest incident of harassment, according to a letter received by Saguisag and which was cited in the motion, was that INC security have deprived the families of Manalo and Hemedez of food usually delivered by Manalo’s father-in-law through a window.

“Ngayong araw na ito ay hindi na pinapayagan iabot sa bintana ang pagkain,” the letter stated. “Ang ginawa pong pagpapahirap ng INC ay naglatag sila ng la mesa sa harapan ng bahay at gusto nila ay lumabas ang tao sa bahay at dun sa la mesa sa labas kunin ang pagkain.”

(Today, they stopped allowing food to be given through a window. What the INC is doing now is that they put the food on top of a table in front of the house. They want us to go outside and get the food ourselves.)

The letter added that this is a strategy by the leadership to lure them out of their houses, and not be let back in.

Hemedez and the INC camp have been fighting over the two-hectare property for months.

The INC, however, said that their stay inside 36 Tandang Sora is illegal after the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 12, in June 2016, ruled in their favor in an ejectment case against the Manalo siblings. (READ: Court orders Manalo siblings out of 36 Tandang Sora)

But in July, QC RTC Branch 43 denied the petition for writ of execution filed by the INC since Hemedez and Manalo were able to file their appeal within the prescribed period and weren't required to pay bonds. (READ: QC Court: Manalo siblings can stay in 36 Tandang Sora)

Meanwhile, the INC Defenders Worldwide, in an open letter published on August 17, called on President Rodrigo Duterte to intervene and do something about the "human rights violations” involving the Manalo siblings. (READ: INC group asking for 'Duterte intervention' in church crisis?) – Jodesz Gavilan / Rappler.com

Inside Track is Rappler's intelligencer on people, events, places and everything of public interest. It's a take-off from Newsbreak's Inside Track section. Contributions are most welcome. Just send bits of information to investigative@rappler.com.