Iglesia Ni Cristo says Menorca now a fugitive

The legal counsel of the Iglesia Ni Cristo on Monday called former minister Lowell Menorca a “fugitive from justice” after he and his family left the country on Sunday evening.

A tweet by GMA News' Raffy Tima said Iglesia Ni Cristo spokesperson Edwil Zabala and counsel Moises Tolentino held a press conference regarding the development of the illegal detention case filed against them by Menorca.

Tolentino said Menorca left the country after seeing that he is likely to lose his case.

INC Counsel Atty. Moises Tolentino says Lowell Menorca now a fugitive from justice, says he saw his case crumbling. pic.twitter.com/iJ7zMjwtWi

— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) March 7, 2016

Menorca is facing libel and adultery cases — accusations that he linked with his rift with the influential religious organization.

During the press conference, Zabala also said he was able to talk to the Filipino couple who allegedly spotted the Menorca family in Vietnam.

INC Spokesperson Edwil Zabala talks to Filipino couple from Ho Chi Minh who saw d Menorca family land in Vietnam. pic.twitter.com/IzJPCDUnOx

— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) March 7, 2016

The Menorca family's departure has already been confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration. —Trisha Macas/KBK, GMA News