(Eagle News) – Lawyers of Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo and his sister Lottie Hemedez brought not food, but dismissed and former military men to the Iglesia Ni Cristo compound where the two are staying along Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City.
Lawyer Trixie Angeles, accompanied the former military personnel, as she tried to have them enter the INC compound at no. 36 T. Sora avenue, where the Manalo siblings are staying.
The “suspicious” men, however,were prevented by the INC security personnel posted at the compound gate.
Before this, Angeles alleged in media interviews that food deliveries were being turned away at the INC compound — a claim that INC lawyers had dared defense lawyers to substantiate.
The attempt by these former military men, including dismissed military personnel, raises security issues, said INC sources, more so because they were accompanied by no less than the lawyers handling the defense in the preliminary injunction case on the INC property.
“The Church has every right to refuse entry to anyone who appears not to have any business or purpose in entering its premises ” according to INC’s legal counsel Atty. Serafin Cuevas Jr.
He stressed that this was to ensure the security of the INC compound, including other INC premises near the place. The INC compound at no. 36 T. Sora Avenue is near the INC Central Office.
The INC Central Offices have very strict security procedures, and this is implemented in all INC premises, Cuevas said.
“The INC as the owner of the property has the right to security. It has the right to refuse entry to anyone who it deems to be suspicious,” he stressed.
Before this, on Oct. 5, dismissed army Capt. Nicanor Faeldon reportedly managed to enter the INC compound.
It was not known why Faeldon tried to enter the INC premises. Faeldon, who participated in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, was a former client of lawyer Trixie Angeles.
Those who tried to seek permission to enter the INC compound on Oct. 7 were Jonathan S. Ledesma, Joseph Sabbaluca, Virgilio C. Espejo, Cochi Briagas Ayad, Robert Dusaran Tonogbanua, John Santiago Jr., Florencio Dumaboc Acabo.
“This raises suspicions and questions,” Cuevas said. “We are wondering why there is a need for them to be inside the INC compound.”
Another INC source noted that the persons whom the defense lawyers are trying to bring in to the INC compound, particularly dismissed and former military personnel, are a cause for alarm.
The INC Security has already reported the matter to the Quezon City police.
The latest incident happened around 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The INC had placed two guardposts outside the compound’s entrance in accordance with a temporary arrangement agreed upon with the defense lawyers during the Sept. 29 hearing at the Quezon City regional trial court branch 222.
The INC has filed a petition with the Quezon City court to bar unauthorized persons from entering the INC compound where Angel Manalo and Lottie Hemedez are staying.
This was after several persons wearing bonnets and masks were seen entering the INC compound, as captured in a video footage of CCTV security cameras.
“They (the defense lawyers) are not disputing that the INC is the owner of the property,” Cuevas said as he reiterated the INC’s position that only members of the immediate family and close friends of Angel Manalo and Lottie Hemedez should only be allowed to enter the INC compound.
Lawyer Angeles filed a manifestation in court on Monday asking for the removal of the guardhouse. She also asked for the dismantling of a security camera of the INC directed at the gate of the compound.
She claimed this was a form of harassment of the INC. Angeles also claimed that the guardhouse and the portalet placed near it were reportedly blocking entrance to the compound, and that this had stalled food deliveries. (Eagle News Service)
