Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, June 11, called out the excessive use of force during the serving of warrants of arrest for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy for abuse and trafficking cases.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (Ali Vicoy/KOJC)
In a statement, the official asked law enforcers to act humanely in serving the warrant.
“Kaisa ako sa mga nananawagan ng maayos, katanggap-tanggap, at makataong pagpapairal ng batas at pagtataguyod ng hustisya sa ating bansa (I am one in calling for a proper, acceptable, and humane enforcement of law and justice in our country),” she said.
This, she added, is in connection with the serving of arrest warrant against Quiboloy on Monday, June 10, which she described as a questionable and excessive use of force and authority in the presence of civilians.
“Sa ating pagpapairal ng batas, huwag nating kalimutan ang kaligtasan ng lahat, lalo na ng mga sibilyan, at mahalagang matiyak na malayo sa panganib ang mga kabataan (In our enforcement of laws, let us not forget the safety of everyone, especially the civilians, and the importance of ensuring that the youth is safe from danger),” Duterte said.
“Huwag din sana nating kalimutan na ang pandarahas sa ating mga mamamayan ay paglapastangan sa ating demokrasya (Let us not forget that violence against our people is an upfront to our democracy).”
The Vice President urged to maintain respect, order, and peace in the country.
“Maging laging mahinahon din sana ang mga Dabawenyo at ang buong sambayanang Pilipino, at magkaisa ang lahat sa pananalangin para sa katotohanan at hustisya (Dabawenyos and the entire country should be calm and be united in our desire for truth and justice),” she said.
The police raid on Monday led to tensions between police officers and church members after over 100 policemen from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Special Action Force (SFA), and other Philippine National Police (PNP) units stormed the properties of the televangelist.
This included the KOJC compound in Buhangin, Davao City, and the Prayer and Glory mountains in Brgy. Tamayong.
Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.
The KOJC leader is a close friend and spiritual adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In March, SMNI, the media arm of KOJC, announced that Duterte had been appointed as the administrator of properties of KOJC.