Originally published at The Crux
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MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of a Filipino journalist for publishing an opinion piece against the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a Christian organization widely considered the most powerful independent Church in the mostly Catholic nation.
The criminal case arises from a private complaint – something possible under Philippine law – and has drawn strong reaction from journalists and press freedom monitors. It also puts the methods and operations of the INC under the spotlight.
Marchel Espina, a 39-year-old journalist in the central Philippines, surrendered to the police on July 17 over a criminal case of “unjust vexation,” along with four other respondents. The crime involves causing “annoyance, irritation, torment, distress, or disturbance to the mind” of the offended party.
Espina immediately posted bail of roughly $100 and was released.
The case was filed by Pedro Castillo, district supervising minister of the INC in Batangas province some 60 miles south of the capital, Manila, and stems from the publication of an article titled “Demonic Church Meddling in Politics” in the local newspaper SunStar Cebu in Dec. 2024, when Espina was its editor-in-chief.
If convicted, Espina faces up to 30 days’ imprisonment and fines of
