(Eagle News) – The parents of Abegail Yanson, the alleged househelp of expelled Iglesia Ni Cristo evangelical worker Lowell Menorca II and his wife Jinky, said their eldest son and his family have also been taken by Menorca’s group in Sorsogon recently, purportedly to force him to testify against the INC.
Candido Yanson Jr., said they are very worried now because they could not contact their son, Ronald, anymore, after they have aired their appeal over media for the release of their daughter, Abegail, earlier.
He said military-looking men took their son and his wife away, including their children –aged four months and three years old, last week.
He said this was why they are now asking the media for help.
Ronald and his family were reportedly kept in a small room by the Menorcas and the “military-looking” men who claimed to be members of the “Marines.” These men were helping Lowell Menorca secure supposed witnesses for his case, according to the information which the Yansons had received
“They weren’t even been able to bring a change of clothes,” Candido said in Filipino, referring to his son and his family.
Candido said his son informed them that he was being pressured by Menorca’s group to testify against the INC.
Candido said they were informed by their son that they were brought to a safehouse in a place near a military camp.
Candido and his wife, Roselie, said they did not initially inform the media about the details of the abduction of their son by Menorca’s group for fear that those detaining their son and his family would harm them and Abegail. But after coming out to the media with their appeal for Abegail’s release on Friday, even their son Ronald could not be contacted anymore.
He said this was what prompted them to again seek media’s help on Oct. 31 in airing their appeal to the Menorcas and their allies, who reportedly involve former members of the Marines, to release their children.
The Yanson had earlier appealed to Lowell Menorca II and wife Jinky to release their daughter. He said their daughter, who is still an INC member, is also being pressured by the Menorcas to testify for them and against the INC.
After coming out with their appeal for the release of their daughter, Abegail. Now they feel that their son, Ronald, and his family might be in danger.
Menorca’s lawyer, Atty, Trixie Angeles, had also served as counsel for former personnel of the Marines, notably former Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who had been involved in the Oakwood mutiny.
She is also the lead counsel of the expelled INC members Angel Manalo and Lottie Hemedez-Manalo who have been trying to secure the services of Faeldon for their security.