DAVAO CITY – Davao City councilors raised concern over the Philippine National Police’s actions in implementing the arrest warrants for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and pastor, Apollo C. Quiboloy, and other co-accused, wondering if they still abide by the law.
Committee on Peace and Public Safety chair Councilor Luna Marie Acosta said in her privilege speech that she respects and acknowledges the power of the court to issue arrest warrants and the authority of the police to enforce the same towards the accused.
“But when excessive force accompanies the enforcement of the warrant, the seizure of private properties, and the disregard for the rights of others, we must ask ourselves, is this still what the law provides?” Acosta said.
Acosta said the service of the warrant affects not only members of the KOJC but also the people of Davao City who experienced severe inconvenience in the first few days of the police’s attempt to arrest Quiboloy and his co-accused.
“The road closure affected those coming to and from their homes to schools or work. More than these inconveniences, and what we should all look into, is the effect these actions have on the rule of law and our rights under the Constitution,” she said.
Acosta reminded the public that inside the KOJC compound is the school that caters to students from pre-school to law school. She cited Department of Education Order 44, Series of 2005, stating that schools are and should remain to be “zones of peace.”
Despite what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had stated earlier, Acosta said there are armed policemen at the Jose Maria Colleges compound. She added that Marcos may not be aware of it, but for Filipinos, several photos and videos were circulating on social media platforms.
She also mentioned that the KOJC members were forced to celebrate their 39th anniversary in the open grounds instead of worshiping in the cathedral, used as the police’s command post for their ongoing operations.
During the courtesy call to the Davao City Council on July 23, Police Regional Office-11 Director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured the council that he would maintain coordination with the city government, but this did not happen, Acosta said.
“We were all caught off guard and left to deal with the consequences of their actions. Instead of working together for the peace of our city, their actions have caused great harm to our peace and have shaken our trust in the people we rely on for our safety and security,” Acosta added.
Committee on Education, Culture, and Arts and Science and Technology chair Councilor Pilar Braga also questioned the excessive efforts exerted in arresting Quiboloy, who is facing charges of alleged sexual abuse and violence, child abuse, and human trafficking.
“What I do not understand is why we need that many police personnel and have spent so much time and energy and resources to arrest one pastor and a few of KOJC members,” Braga said in her privilege speech.
Braga said the police operations inside the compound for almost two weeks since it started on August 24 is “unusual.” She added that this is the most unusual police operation in the country’s history of searches and arrests.
As a result, the Davao City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday, September 3, urging the PNP to uphold the rule of law and respect the Constitution about their ongoing operation at the compound.
Acosta cited the 1987 Constitution that states, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”
She also emphasized that the Constitution states that “the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.” She also cited the RA 6975 or Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
Acosta also reminded that the law says “the State shall prioritize education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.”
She said despite the issuance of a Temporary Protection Order by the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC), given the PNP’s actions in serving the arrest warrants, they have remained on the premises and controlled the entrance and exit of all persons into the compound.
“The 20th Davao City Council respects the issuance of the Warrants of Arrest and supports the PNP’s operations in serving the same but asks that such must be strictly done within the bounds of the law,” Acosta said.
Vice Mayor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. appealed for peace at the compound and hopes that no other lives would be lost, no person would get hurt, both sides would remain peaceful, and there would be continuous peace in Davao City.
Quitain, who agreed that the ongoing disarray between the PNP and the KOJC raised concerns among Davaoeños, said the opinions on the matter that would clash would be best left up to the court to decide. He added that whatever the court decides should be respected.
Davao City councilors call on PNP to uphold rule of law in arrest warrants for Quiboloy, co-accused
