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Duterte on tracking Quiboloy, overkill
By Nidz Godino
“I strongly condemn use of excessive and unnecessary force in serving warrant of arrest for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ by police officers who are not even from Davao City,” Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is also KOJC property administrator, said KOJC condemned what they described as “overkill” in police operations to serve arrest warrants for accused sex offender and human trafficker Apollo Quiboloy and his accomplices.
He stressed operation “is absolutely unacceptable,” having occurred in place of worship and on school premises.
Heavily armed raiding teams of Special Action Force (SAF) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from Region 10 raided several properties owned by Quiboloy, including their main compound beside Davao City International Airport that houses KOJC’s Jose Maria College and worship building.
They also stormed through sect’s Prayer Mountain and Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, QSands Baptismal Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal and Kitbog Compound in Malungon, Sarangani, but was not able to find Quiboloy.
Raiding teams, who were in full battle gear, scaled high fence and gates of KOJC main compound on Diversion Road and destroyed gates at Glory Mountain to gain access to properties.
“Will this overkill be trademark of this administration when dealing with individuals who are merely accused of committing crime and have not been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt,will they exhibit same lack of self-restraint they have shown towards critics of this administration when dealing with their supporters?” Duterte asked.
In KOJC main compound, at least three members were injured in the short melee that transpired when police tried to scale gate of compound.
Nine members of the group were handcuffed by police at Glory Mountain on allegations that they were carrying bolos during raid.
“How can this administration guarantee preservation of constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even most fundamental of these rights are being trampled upon and blatantly violated?” Duterte said.
KOJC also issued statement condemning manner warrant of arrest was served.
“We strongly condemn the manner of implementing arrest warrants insofar as they were not only laden with irregularities, but they were excessive and overkill… PNP deployed special battalions who were in full battle gear, some CIDG officials were even seen wearing bulletproof vests and hundreds of police personnel in anti-riot gear and shields strategically positioned themselves at KOJC Compound,” it said.
KOJC also questioned implementation of warrants of arrest, they claim to be “unjust and excessive.”
“Implementation of warrants of arrest is also questionable in as much as CIDG has already filed their Returns of Warrant of Arrest as early as May 14, 2024 before RTC Branch 159 of Pasig City…thus, insofar as KOJC leaders are concerned, warrants have already been implemented,” KOJC said.
It also maintained arrest warrant is not search warrant.
“Even searches incident to lawful arrest, arrest must precede search; generally, process cannot be reversed, we strongly condemn highly irregular implementation of warrants of arrest and arbitrary and oppressive use of force and violence in enforcing the same,” KOJC said.
Quiboloy’s camp said there is “great probability” it would pursue charges over search of properties last Monday.
“It was not only an overkill… I have reasonable grounds to believe that it was even illegal,” Quiboloy’s lawyer Israelito Torreon said.
Torreon noted that operatives of SAF and CIDG in Region 10 conducted simultaneous raids did not have search warrant to enter properties.
He pointed out that what happened was violation of Rules on Criminal Procedure, states “officer, in order to make an arrest either by virtue of a warrant … may break into any building or enclosure where person to be arrested is or is reasonably believed to be, if he is refused admittance thereto, after announcing his authority and purpose.”
“At least two or even all three of requisites are not present in this case,” lawyer said, noting that raids on multiple properties indicated that police were not aware of Quiboloy’s whereabouts.
Torreon added that they are looking at filing charges for unlawful arrest as some church members were arrested during raid, as well as interruption of religious worship as it happened during church’s supposed time for devotional prayers.
Destruction of property fence may also constitute malicious mischief, according to Quiboloy’s lawyer.
Torreon said he is not aware of current location of the pastor, saying that last time they talked was before Senate issued arrest warrant in March.
“It was a long discussion… we already talked about certain scenarios as to what would happen. ..somehow, he was able to foresee that these things may happen,” Torreon added.
Amid these developments, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio called on authorities for an “orderly and acceptable” enforcement of law against Quiboloy, following raids conducted on controversial preacher’s properties.
In statement coming to Quiboloy’s defense, Duterte called operations as “disorderly” implementation of arrest warrant.
Duterte called for acceptable and humane law enforcement and serving of justice for Quiboloy.
She called on authorities to always consider safety of civilians and ensure youth are safe in discharge of their duties.
She said violence against people is disrespectful of democracy.
Instead of covering up for his friend, former president should help government authorities track down Quiboloy, who is subject of warrants of arrest from court and Senate, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros, chairs Senate committee on women and children investigating allegations against Quiboloy, urged Duterte not to cover up for KOJC founder.
“Duterte should stop covering up for Quiboloy… should just help track down where his friend is,” Hontiveros said.
Authorities reported that Quiboloy evaded arrest last Monday after armed police personnel stormed KOJC compound in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City and did not find him there.
Throngs of Quiboloy’s supporters formed barricade outside compound and reportedly made it difficult for law enforcement authorities to enter and search grounds.
“There may have been breakdown in PNP ,Philippine National Police intelligence gathering… I said so the moment PNP failed to locate Quiboloy’s whereabouts after issuance of several warrants of arrest several months ago, I am again calling on PNP leadership to ensure none of our officers are being influenced by Quiboloy or any of his allies, particularly former president Duterte… I trust that more of our men and women in uniform are also doing all they can to bring Quiboloy to justice,” senator said.
Hontiveros called on Quiboloy to surrender and face his church’s former members who are accusing him of abuses.
“And for Quiboloy, give up…cooperate with our law enforcers for once…deal with charges and accusations…you have nowhere to hide,” Hontiveros said.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla described as eyesore recent raid of Quiboloy’s place.
“I hope there will be better treatment on this case because it will really come down to this… sad because it’s not good to see that it’s happening in place that we know people worship, people in uniform enter, it’s bit painful to see,” Padilla said.
He suggested Quiboloy’s case be diplomatically resolved.
“Maybe it can be done through diplomacy… I don’t know why Filipinos are so hot now…let’s just relax…because you know that there are things that can be gained in conversation, we have to go through conversation…let’s not be too violent,let’s not be too hot-headed…let’s just relax, especially nowadays when whole world is hot-headed…let’s not go with flow,” he said.
Ecumenical youth group Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) scoffed at Duterte’s condemnation of PNP’s serving of arrest warrant against Quiboloy.
“It is both desperate and foolish that outrage against human rights violations came from Rodrigo Duterte, when he himself became biggest human rights violator during his administration!, only shows how it is convenient for the likes of former president Duterte to invoke human rights when his benefactor is being put into justice, as he himself made pronouncements against human rights and enacted ‘kill-kill-kill’ policy against thousands of innocents,” SCMP national chairman Kej Andres said.
Duterte has been infamous for “implementing and instigating heinous policies resulted in human rights violations, including tokhang drug war, killed more than 30,000, as well as policies on red-tagging and counter-insurgency resulted in extrajudicial killings, warrantless arrests and vilification of activists and other innocent individuals, while it is true that this Marcos Jr. administration has its foul share of human rights violations, we will never forget how highlight of Duterte administration is also blatant human rights violations, especially against religious,” according to Andres.
SCMP leader gave long list of alleged attacks against church people under Duterte, including killings of Fr. Mark Ventura, Fr. Marcelito Paez, Pastor Lovelito Quiñones, Fr. Richmond Nilo, Neptali Morada, Putoy dela Cruz and Domingo Edo.
Those arrested included Pastor Dan San Andres, Mariel Domequil and Aldeem Yañez.
Andres also reminded organizations such as Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, SCMP and other church leaders “have been red-tagged by both Quiboloy and state agents.”
In fact, “RMP and its key people were charged with terrorist-financing and have bank accounts frozen,” Andres said.
Former RMP head Sr. Patricia Fox was deported for being active on social causes in the Philippines.
Andres called on Quiboloy and Duterte to “surrender to authorities for crimes they have committed.”
“They have been weighed, and they have been found very much sinful against Filipino people,” Andres reiterated.
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