DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office-11 assured on Wednesday, March 6, that they will not hesitate to arrest Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy should there be a directive from Camp Crame.
PRO-Davao spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey and Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU)-11 assistant head Police Lt. Col. Grace Lascano speaks on KOJC founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's case during the Armed Forces-Philippine National Police press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City. (Ivy Tejano)
Speaking at the Armed Forces-Philippine National Police press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here, PRO-Davao spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said they are awaiting an arrest warrant or any legal order from higher headquarters before acting on Quiboloy’s case.
“As of the moment, when I asked the operations and investigation officers of the PRO-11 over the pastor’s case, they haven’t yet received any directive from the national headquarters. If there are any, we will abide by and obey the legal orders of our duly constituted authorities,” Dela Rey said.
Dela Rey said they will deploy intelligence operatives once a legal order is already available. She added that they would deploy their personnel and execute necessary measures to abide by the directive to arrest the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” religious leader.
Police Lt. Col. Grace Lascano, assistant head of the Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU)-11, said they can only monitor the case through print, radio, television, and social media.
Lascano added they will wait for the release of a legal order when taking action.
“We will only take action if there is a directive from our headquarters to regional offices down to provincial police offices and the stations. If ever there’s a notice to hold their flight, that would be the standing authority of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP),” Lascano said.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Tuesday, March 5, cited Quiboloy in contempt and requested his arrest for his refusal to testify before the investigation on the human trafficking, sexual abuses, and forced labor allegations hurled against him.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, panel chair, made the motion after Quiboloy skipped Tuesday’ hearing.