Former Iglesia ni Cristo member Lowell Menorca is seeking refugee status in Canada for himself and his family as he claims the Christian sect continues to make threats to his life even after he left the country last March.
In an interview with TV Patrol, Menorca said he went to Vancouver, Canada, to ask for refugee status himself and his family, including his pregnant wife Jinky and two-year-old daughter.
He received a conditional refugee status from Canada’s Immigration Refugee Board.
Menorca stayed in Vietnam for two weeks before moving to Thailand, where his family is currently staying.
“N’ung una very apprehensive sila, e. At one point sinabi sa aking n’ung officer, ‘What’s the name of your church again?’ Ang sabi ko Iglesia ni Cristo. They didn’t even enter my name. Pag-hit nila ng enter, all over the screen of the computer was my face. Nakita n’ung mga nasa border services na the threat is valid, na there is a risk to my life,” Menorca said.
His refugee claim will heard by Canada’s refugee board on May 26.
“After so many months, this is the first time I was able to breath. Sabi sa akin ng officer, ‘You came to the right country.’ I told them na the reason I’m here is because I want to protect my family,” Menorca said, adding he hopes to be reunited with his family when he gets refugee status.
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