The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) said on Thursday that it would file an ejectment case against its former members Angel Manalo and Lottie Manalo-Hemedez who have refused to leave their residence at 36 Tandang Sora in Quezon City.
INC spokesman Bro. Edwil Zabala, in a statement, said when they were expelled, they lost the privilege of living in the INC compound and they were only allowed to stay temporarily due to humanitarian reasons.
“We wish to emphasize that the entire #36 Tandang Sora compound is the property of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. However, this ownership right of the Church has been disrespected and even violated by the camp of Mr. Angel and Mrs. Lottie,” he said.
“Their privilege to stay in the INC’s housing located at the said compound ended with their expulsion from the Church on July 23, 2015. Since then, they have already lost the privilege to reside in the housing compound of the Church. Nevertheless, in consideration of Christian principles and humanitarian reasons, we did not immediately order them to vacate the premises,” he said.
Despite being allowed to stay within the property owned by the Church, Zabala said they have decided to engage in activities that threaten the very security of the INC compound which is very close to the INC Central Office, including the residents living near the area.
He said CCTV footages showed that they have previously allowed the entry of unidentified men wearing masks even during unholy hours.
“These men carried big bags containing things that only they know. Some of the men have even managed to stay in the compound – these masked men were seen holding cameras and carrying big bags inside the compound. We ask the public: If this is happening in your backyard, would you allow this to continue? Would you not take legal action?” he said.
Because of this, Zabala said the INC filed an injunction case in court against them on September 21, 2015, “The court understood the need for security which is why the judge himself allowed the INC to impose security measures for monitoring purposes.”
“Mr. Angel, Mrs. Lottie and company refuse to pay their electric consumption and what they want is for the INC to continue to pay this for them. Truth be told, for humanitarian considerations, up to now it is the INC which continues to pay for their water consumption,” Zabala said.
“All these have brought alarm to the brethren of the INC. A big number of INC members have expressed apprehension for the security, not only of the INC Central Office, but more importantly for the life of our most beloved Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,” he added.
“Their lies in media and attempts to destroy the Church’s reputation, including that of the Church Administration, have reached the saturation point. So the Church will now do the proper course of action in accordance with the law,” he said.
