Marcos denies overkill, human rights violations in raid to arrest Quiboloy | ABS-CBN
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Marcos denies overkill, human rights violations in raid to arrest Quiboloy
Marcos denies overkill, human rights violations in raid to arrest Quiboloy
(UPDATED) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denied accusations of “overkill” and human rights violations by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their ongoing raid of the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City in an attempt to arrest fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
(UPDATED) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denied accusations of “overkill” and human rights violations by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their ongoing raid of the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City in an attempt to arrest fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
In an interview in Malacanang Tuesday, Marcos Jr. defended police operations in Davao City, saying that the number of police deployed at the religious group’s compound was justified considering the size of the area.
In an interview in Malacanang Tuesday, Marcos Jr. defended police operations in Davao City, saying that the number of police deployed at the religious group’s compound was justified considering the size of the area.
Around 2,000 PNP 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 PNP personnel entered the KOJC compound early Saturday morning to serve warrants on Quiboloy and others also accused in the cases he is facing.
“I don’t think so. Anyway, the reason we did this was so that we could maintain the peace. The only way to maintain the peace is to make sure that the area is safe and is secure. And considering that this is a 30-hectare compound, kailangan mo talaga ng maraming tao. Hindi mo pwedeng gawin ito ng isang dosenang pulis. Hindi na bale yung mga lumalaban o nagreresist o naghaharang, hindi na bale muna yun. Para lang yung pag inspection ng 30 hectares kailangan mo na kaagad ng maraming tao,” Marcos Jr. told reporters.
“I don’t think so. Anyway, the reason we did this was so that we could maintain the peace. The only way to maintain the peace is to make sure that the area is safe and is secure. And considering that this is a 30-hectare compound, kailangan mo talaga ng maraming tao. Hindi mo pwedeng gawin ito ng isang dosenang pulis. Hindi na bale yung mga lumalaban o nagreresist o naghaharang, hindi na bale muna yun. Para lang yung pag inspection ng 30 hectares kailangan mo na kaagad ng maraming tao,” Marcos Jr. told reporters.
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Vice President Sara Duterte earlier condemned what she claimed as “gross abuse of police power,” saying that the use of alleged violence against civilians and KOJC members is unacceptable.
Vice President Sara Duterte earlier condemned what she claimed as “gross abuse of police power,” saying that the use of alleged violence against civilians and KOJC members is unacceptable.
The President, however, said that such allegations are just politicizing the issue.
The President, however, said that such allegations are just politicizing the issue.
“I think what they are talking about, political na 'yan. Hindi na totoo yan. You can go to any human rights advocate, there’s nothing that we did… Lahat ng pumasok na pulis, hindi armado. Walang baril kahit isa. Hindi kami gumamit ng teargas. Wala kaming ginawang ganun. So anong human rights violation?” Marcos Jr said.
“I think what they are talking about, political na 'yan. Hindi na totoo yan. You can go to any human rights advocate, there’s nothing that we did… Lahat ng pumasok na pulis, hindi armado. Walang baril kahit isa. Hindi kami gumamit ng teargas. Wala kaming ginawang ganun. So anong human rights violation?” Marcos Jr said.
“Marami lang. Kung kokonti, mas marami pang nasaktan. Mas maraming nasaktan na supporter ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, maraming nasaktan na pulis. Dahil maglalaban. Kung marami, tapos kaagad ang problema. That’s what we’ve done.”
“Marami lang. Kung kokonti, mas marami pang nasaktan. Mas maraming nasaktan na supporter ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, maraming nasaktan na pulis. Dahil maglalaban. Kung marami, tapos kaagad ang problema. That’s what we’ve done.”
The President, meanwhile, criticized Quiboloy for using his followers to block authorities and evade arrest.
The President, meanwhile, criticized Quiboloy for using his followers to block authorities and evade arrest.
“Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit dinadamay ni Quiboloy ang mga tauhan niya. Kasi sinasabak nya yung mga tauhan nya. Eh wala namang kasalanan yang mga yan. They just believe that they are looking for an answer, a values system and they think they have found it kay Quiboloy,” he said.
“Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit dinadamay ni Quiboloy ang mga tauhan niya. Kasi sinasabak nya yung mga tauhan nya. Eh wala namang kasalanan yang mga yan. They just believe that they are looking for an answer, a values system and they think they have found it kay Quiboloy,” he said.
“But they did not sign up to be in the frontline of this kind of thing that is happening now, that they will protect him from arrest, even when he has cases filed him not only here in the Philippines but also in the United States. So I suppose I can understand their disagreement with us, even anger. But what all the police are doing is enforcing the warrant of arrest against Apollo Quiboloy. That’s all they’re doing."
“But they did not sign up to be in the frontline of this kind of thing that is happening now, that they will protect him from arrest, even when he has cases filed him not only here in the Philippines but also in the United States. So I suppose I can understand their disagreement with us, even anger. But what all the police are doing is enforcing the warrant of arrest against Apollo Quiboloy. That’s all they’re doing."
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa appealed to Marcos to consider the plight of members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ led by Apollo Quiboloy who have been affected by what Dela Rosa claims is excessive use of force in by the Philippine National Police in enforcing the warrant of arrest.
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa appealed to Marcos to consider the plight of members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ led by Apollo Quiboloy who have been affected by what Dela Rosa claims is excessive use of force in by the Philippine National Police in enforcing the warrant of arrest.
Quiboloy was ordered arrested by a Philippine court to face charges of sex abuse and trafficking.
Quiboloy was ordered arrested by a Philippine court to face charges of sex abuse and trafficking.
"I urge you, dear President of this nation, to listen also to a different sort of heartbeat. The heartbeat of thousands of Filipinos. In the midst of this cacophony of sounds, it is our hope that the voices and hearts of these Filipinos will not be drowned out. Among them are the members of the KOJC, deprived of their religious freedoms. Their right to practice their faith is being challenged, and their pleas for support are echoing through our land,” Dela Rosa said in a privileged speech.
"I urge you, dear President of this nation, to listen also to a different sort of heartbeat. The heartbeat of thousands of Filipinos. In the midst of this cacophony of sounds, it is our hope that the voices and hearts of these Filipinos will not be drowned out. Among them are the members of the KOJC, deprived of their religious freedoms. Their right to practice their faith is being challenged, and their pleas for support are echoing through our land,” Dela Rosa said in a privileged speech.
"Let us also listen to the hearts of thousands of students from the Jose Maria College Foundation Incorporated and Lyceum of the Philippines in Davao City, as well as their parents, who are grappling with the disruption of their education. I feel that it is not justifiable, that in the attempt to serve a warrant of arrest, we also end up arresting our young people's dreams. This is highly unwarranted, Mr. President. Their aspirations hang in the balance, as ongoing sieges affect their learning environment and their future prospects,” Dela Rosa also said.
"Let us also listen to the hearts of thousands of students from the Jose Maria College Foundation Incorporated and Lyceum of the Philippines in Davao City, as well as their parents, who are grappling with the disruption of their education. I feel that it is not justifiable, that in the attempt to serve a warrant of arrest, we also end up arresting our young people's dreams. This is highly unwarranted, Mr. President. Their aspirations hang in the balance, as ongoing sieges affect their learning environment and their future prospects,” Dela Rosa also said.
Dela Rosa maintained he is not questioning the authority of the PNP to implement valid warrants of arrest issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Dela Rosa maintained he is not questioning the authority of the PNP to implement valid warrants of arrest issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Citing his own experience as a former national police chief, Dela Rosa however pointed out the excessive use of force.
Citing his own experience as a former national police chief, Dela Rosa however pointed out the excessive use of force.
Dela Rosa likewise appealed to KOJC members and the PNP to exercise restraint.
Dela Rosa likewise appealed to KOJC members and the PNP to exercise restraint.
For his part Senator Christopher Lawrence Go also condemned what he believes the excessive use of force.
For his part Senator Christopher Lawrence Go also condemned what he believes the excessive use of force.
"Mr. President, I am one with the privilege speech of my colleague, Senator Bato in upholding the rule of law and the motto of the PNP, which is to serve and protect. Mr. President, we condemn the excessive use of force. I appeal to our government, especially law enforcers to be prudent in their actions and remain faithful to their mandate to serve and protect,” Go said. "With the court issuance of a temporary protection order, we pray that peace and normalcy will return to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound. The occupation of police personnel in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City and the terror it brings to the community causes concern. While it is the duty of the police to serve an arrest warrant, there is no excuse for using force creating fear, compromising the safety of civilians, disrupting the peace in the community, and occupying the place of worship,” he added.
"Mr. President, I am one with the privilege speech of my colleague, Senator Bato in upholding the rule of law and the motto of the PNP, which is to serve and protect. Mr. President, we condemn the excessive use of force. I appeal to our government, especially law enforcers to be prudent in their actions and remain faithful to their mandate to serve and protect,” Go said. "With the court issuance of a temporary protection order, we pray that peace and normalcy will return to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound. The occupation of police personnel in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City and the terror it brings to the community causes concern. While it is the duty of the police to serve an arrest warrant, there is no excuse for using force creating fear, compromising the safety of civilians, disrupting the peace in the community, and occupying the place of worship,” he added.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who led an investigation on Quiboloy's alleged sexual misconduct, maintained that freedom of assembly should not mean obstruction of justice. Hontiveros reiterated her call for Quiboloy to surrender.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who led an investigation on Quiboloy's alleged sexual misconduct, maintained that freedom of assembly should not mean obstruction of justice. Hontiveros reiterated her call for Quiboloy to surrender.
"Mayroong pugante at kailangan na ang pugante ay makuha, while ensuring the least disruption to the movement of innocent civilians and no human rights violations. Mayroon din po na credible na balita na may nagpapakalat ng fake news, at mayroon ding nananakit ng kapwa myembro para isisi sa kapulisan. Police brutality is unacceptable but this is also unacceptable,” Hontiveros said.
"Mayroong pugante at kailangan na ang pugante ay makuha, while ensuring the least disruption to the movement of innocent civilians and no human rights violations. Mayroon din po na credible na balita na may nagpapakalat ng fake news, at mayroon ding nananakit ng kapwa myembro para isisi sa kapulisan. Police brutality is unacceptable but this is also unacceptable,” Hontiveros said.
”Kung papakinggan natin ang heartbeat ng KOJC members, pakinggan din natin ang heartbeat ng mga victim survivors. Si alias amanda, alias JR, alias Jackson at iba pa. Trafficked, sexually abused, forced to perform begging activities. Let us not allow them to be invisible,” she added.
”Kung papakinggan natin ang heartbeat ng KOJC members, pakinggan din natin ang heartbeat ng mga victim survivors. Si alias amanda, alias JR, alias Jackson at iba pa. Trafficked, sexually abused, forced to perform begging activities. Let us not allow them to be invisible,” she added.
-with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
-with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
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