VP Duterte condemns ‘abuse of power’ in PNP search of Quiboloy compound | ABS-CBN
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VP Duterte condemns ‘abuse of power’ in PNP search of Quiboloy compound
VP Duterte condemns ‘abuse of power’ in PNP search of Quiboloy compound
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 25, 2024 08:43 AM PHT
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Updated Aug 25, 2024 11:36 AM PHT
Kingdom of Jesus Christ followers hold a prayer rally outside the KOJC compound in Davao City.
Kingdom of Jesus Christ followers hold a prayer rally outside the KOJC compound in Davao City.DAVAO CITY (4th UPDATE) — Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday condemned what she called “gross abuse of police power” in an operation to find and arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy at the religious group’s compound in Davao City.
DAVAO CITY (4th UPDATE) — Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday condemned what she called “gross abuse of police power” in an operation to find and arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy at the religious group’s compound in Davao City.
In a statement on Sunday, Duterte said she does not oppose the implementation of warrants but said the use of alleged violence against civilians and KOJC members is unacceptable.
In a statement on Sunday, Duterte said she does not oppose the implementation of warrants but said the use of alleged violence against civilians and KOJC members is unacceptable.
Around 2,000 Philippine National Police personnel entered the KOJC compound early Saturday morning to serve warrants on Quiboloy and others also accused in the cases he is facing.
Around 2,000 Philippine National Police personnel entered the KOJC compound early Saturday morning to serve warrants on Quiboloy and others also accused in the cases he is facing.
Saying there had been harassment, abuse of minors and an unnecessary loss of life in what she called a police takeover of the compound, Duterte said that what happened was “not only a blatant violation of Constitutionally-protected rights but a betrayal of trust” by an institution “sworn to protect and serve us.”
Saying there had been harassment, abuse of minors and an unnecessary loss of life in what she called a police takeover of the compound, Duterte said that what happened was “not only a blatant violation of Constitutionally-protected rights but a betrayal of trust” by an institution “sworn to protect and serve us.”
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“Hindi ko rin maiwasang matanong sa sarili kung ang paggamit ba ng di pangkaraniwang pwersa at di makatarungang pang-aabuso sa ordinaryong Pilipino, upang maipatupad ang naturang warrant of arrest, ay dahil sa ang akusado ay isang kilalang Duterte supporter,” she also said.
“Hindi ko rin maiwasang matanong sa sarili kung ang paggamit ba ng di pangkaraniwang pwersa at di makatarungang pang-aabuso sa ordinaryong Pilipino, upang maipatupad ang naturang warrant of arrest, ay dahil sa ang akusado ay isang kilalang Duterte supporter,” she also said.
(I cannot help but ask whether the use of extraordinary force and unjust abuse to serve the warrant is because the accused is a Duterte supporter)
(I cannot help but ask whether the use of extraordinary force and unjust abuse to serve the warrant is because the accused is a Duterte supporter)
Quiboloy, who faces abuse and trafficking cases in courts in Davao City and Pasig, was spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father.
Quiboloy, who faces abuse and trafficking cases in courts in Davao City and Pasig, was spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father.
He has also made the former president administrator of KOJC properties.
He has also made the former president administrator of KOJC properties.
Quiboloy also endorsed Vice President Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when they ran in the 2022 elections. Differences on policy have since created a rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions of the since dissolved UniTeam alliance.
Quiboloy also endorsed Vice President Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when they ran in the 2022 elections. Differences on policy have since created a rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions of the since dissolved UniTeam alliance.
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In the same statement, Vice President Duterte also apologized to KOJC members for urging them to vote for Marcos Jr., her running mate and erstwhile ally.
In the same statement, Vice President Duterte also apologized to KOJC members for urging them to vote for Marcos Jr., her running mate and erstwhile ally.
In a statement on Saturday, former president Duterte said the Philippines “has never been in a more tragic state” where “rights have been trampled upon and our laws, derided.”
In a statement on Saturday, former president Duterte said the Philippines “has never been in a more tragic state” where “rights have been trampled upon and our laws, derided.”
Duterte, whose presidency was hounded by allegations of rights abuses and extrajudicial killings, called on “decent and patriotic” members of government to resist being “used and to be abusive and violent in enforcing illegal orders.”
Duterte, whose presidency was hounded by allegations of rights abuses and extrajudicial killings, called on “decent and patriotic” members of government to resist being “used and to be abusive and violent in enforcing illegal orders.”
In a comment on social media site X on Sunday, former Sen. Leila De Lima noted the irony in the former president's statement.
In a comment on social media site X on Sunday, former Sen. Leila De Lima noted the irony in the former president's statement.
What is illegal about enforcing valid arrest warrants? At sa'yo pa talaga nanggaling ito? Kapal ng mukha! Bakit hindi ka na lang tumulong sa mga awtoridad?!," De Lima, whom the Duterte administration detained for drug-related cases that have all since been dismissed, said.
What is illegal about enforcing valid arrest warrants? At sa'yo pa talaga nanggaling ito? Kapal ng mukha! Bakit hindi ka na lang tumulong sa mga awtoridad?!," De Lima, whom the Duterte administration detained for drug-related cases that have all since been dismissed, said.
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(And this is a comment coming from you? How arrogant. Why don't you just help the authorities?)
(And this is a comment coming from you? How arrogant. Why don't you just help the authorities?)
PRO 11: POLICE FOLLOWED PROTOCOL
In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Police B.Gen. Nicolas Torre III, police director for the Davao Region, said the police condole with the friends and family of a 50-year-old KOJC follower who died of a heart attack during the operation but said they followed protocols and rules of engagement.
In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Police B.Gen. Nicolas Torre III, police director for the Davao Region, said the police condole with the friends and family of a 50-year-old KOJC follower who died of a heart attack during the operation but said they followed protocols and rules of engagement.
“Natural lang na sisisihin nila tayo. Sabi nila na-heart attack daw dahil sa paglusob natin. Hindi naman, hindi naman namin sila nilusob. Kinomply naman natin lahat ng legal requirement na mag-announce tayo ng ating authority, kung bakit tayo nandito at gusto natin i-serve ang warrant of arrest sa mga kinauukulan,” he said.
“Natural lang na sisisihin nila tayo. Sabi nila na-heart attack daw dahil sa paglusob natin. Hindi naman, hindi naman namin sila nilusob. Kinomply naman natin lahat ng legal requirement na mag-announce tayo ng ating authority, kung bakit tayo nandito at gusto natin i-serve ang warrant of arrest sa mga kinauukulan,” he said.
(It’s understandable that they would blame us. They say we stormed the compound but we didn’t. We complied with the legal requirement to announce our authority and explain that we are here to serve warrants)
(It’s understandable that they would blame us. They say we stormed the compound but we didn’t. We complied with the legal requirement to announce our authority and explain that we are here to serve warrants)
The regional police chief added: “We commiserate with the family and we offer our sincerest condolences.”
The regional police chief added: “We commiserate with the family and we offer our sincerest condolences.”
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Torre said the search of the compound will continue after the KOJC worship service early Sunday morning.
Torre said the search of the compound will continue after the KOJC worship service early Sunday morning.
He said the PNP would use equipment like ground-penetrating radar to look for tunnels and “suspicious locations” in the compound.
He said the PNP would use equipment like ground-penetrating radar to look for tunnels and “suspicious locations” in the compound.
Torre also called on Quiboloy to surrender to authorities and defend himself in court.
Torre also called on Quiboloy to surrender to authorities and defend himself in court.
"Pinaka-maganda diyan, ipakita ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy ang kanyang leadership na talagang i-prove, he must prove... Lagi na lang sinasabi 'Justice for Apollo Quiboloy'... Ang hustisya ay binibigay ng korte, ibig sabihin, mag-submit lang sila sa korte para masimulan na ang hinihingi niyang hustisya," he said.
"Pinaka-maganda diyan, ipakita ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy ang kanyang leadership na talagang i-prove, he must prove... Lagi na lang sinasabi 'Justice for Apollo Quiboloy'... Ang hustisya ay binibigay ng korte, ibig sabihin, mag-submit lang sila sa korte para masimulan na ang hinihingi niyang hustisya," he said.
(The best thing would be for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to show his leadership... They keep saying 'Justice for Apollo Quiboloy', but justice comes from the courts. So, he should submit to the courts to get his justice.)
(The best thing would be for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to show his leadership... They keep saying 'Justice for Apollo Quiboloy', but justice comes from the courts. So, he should submit to the courts to get his justice.)
— with a report from Hernel Tocmo
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