DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 June) – The joint police and military operations at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Catitipan and the two properties of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy in Barangay Tamayong, Calinan District last June 10 were “illegal and carried out with unnecessary and unrestrained force,” the group said in a statement Wednesday.
The KOJC was reacting to the statement of Major Catherine Dela Rey, Police Regional Office-Davao spokesperson that the police and military exercised maximum tolerance in serving the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his five co-accused for human trafficking.
The statement criticized the deployment of fully-armed police personnel, including members of the Special Action Force (SAF).
It said the police were already positioned outside the KOJC compound as early as 3:45 a.m. and later, soldiers climbed over the gate despite being told by the security guards to wait for the lawyers since no search warrant was shown.
It said the supporters of Quiboloy were constrained to use a water cannon on authorities after they forcibly entered the compound.
The KOJC also claimed that a number of its members got injured. Among them were a woman who was kicked in the face by a soldier and two male members who were injured in their shoulders and arms.
Dela Rey said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Conference on Wednesday that the law enforcers did not use excessive force in serving the arrest warrants.
She said they remained composed and demonstrated maximum tolerance.
She said the law enforcers, who were allegedly assaulted by some church members, conducted the operations in compliance with the lawful order of the court.
Law enforcers attempted to serve the warrants of arrest at 5:35 a.m. last Monday against Quiboloy, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes.
She, however, said that several KOJC members resisted, resulting in a commotion.
She appealed to Quiboloy’s supporters to allow the authorities to serve the arrest warrants without resistance.
Dela Rey added that law enforcers were able to enter the KOJC compound after a negotiation with some church officials.
The KOJC said law enforcers were immediately allowed entry into the compound when their lawyers arrived and that church members had no “intent to willfully delay or obstruct the implementation of the warrant of arrest, as the PNP wanted to establish.”
Dela Rey said the police will file charges for obstruction of justice against six persons who allegedly attacked the police with deadly weapons during their operations in Barangay Tamayong.
As of Thursday, she said the cases have yet to be filed. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
