MANILA (PHILIPPINES)
GMA Regional TV [Cebu City, PH]
June 11, 2024
By Rgil Relator
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) is set to press charges against the police officers involved in what it called as ‘excessive and overkill’ serving of arrest warrants against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and five others in Davao City.
In a statement, KOJC condemned the manner by which authorities carried the operation out, which caused tension among those present.
KOJC said the operation were conducted simultaneously at four of its properties – the KOJC compound, the Prayer Mountain and Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, and another property in Kitbog, Sarangani.
“We strongly condemn the manner of implementing the arrest warrants insofar as they were not only laden with irregularities, but they were excessive and overkill. The 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 the KOJC Compound,” KOJC said.
KOJC claimed that three of its members were injured and nine others were handcuffed and arrested. KOJC also reported that its property was damaged.
“Clearly the raids resulted in damage to KOJC’s property, unjust handcuffing or arrest of KOJC members, and injuries to several individuals, among others,” KOJC said.
KOJC also questioned the implementation of the warrants as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed reportedly the return of warrants of arrest before the Regional Trial Court Branch 159 in Pasig City in May 14, 2024.
“Thus, in so far as the KOJC leaders are concerned, the warrants have already been implemented,” KOJC added.
POLICE COMMENT
For its part, the Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) said eight people were brought to the police station, including two minors, following the tension at the Glory Mountain.
PRO-11 will also file charges against them.
“Pinakawalan naman din naman sila and we are preparing appropriate charges against them dahil doon sa pag-resist nila during the implementation of the warrant of arrest. Ang isa sa mga iniisip ay yung obstruction of justice,” PRO-11 Spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey, said.
PRO-11 also maintained that enough force was deployed to execute the order of the court.
“Considering that we have to cover a vast area and we have to arrest several personalities. Ang panawagan din po naman namin sa kanyang supporters and followers, to allow the PNP to perform its duties and responsibilities as law enforcers in serving the warrants of arrest,” Dela Rey added.
KOJC said it will exhaust all legal remedies to protect Quiboloy’s constitutional rights.