DAVAO CITY – The Senate Committees on Justice and Human Rights and Public Order and Dangerous Drugs investigated on Friday, September 6, the ongoing Philippine National Police (PNP) operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound here to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused.
The hearing held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall here sought to determine if human rights have been violated in the attempt to arrest the accused.
Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who presided over the public hearing with his colleagues, Senators Robinhood Padilla and Christopher "Bong" Go, said they aim to investigate several issues that have emerged since the PNP began their operation with thousands of personnel deployed at the compound, including in the Jose Maria College (JMC) and the KOJC cathedral, on August 24.
Dela Rosa said the investigation includes the alleged violation of the civil and political rights of the KOJC members, students, parents, and other individuals; the reported damage to property after police officers dug into the basement of the JMC; the effectiveness of PNP equipment used to detect a heartbeat in an underground bunker, and the Court of Appeals' order to cancel the Temporary Protection Order previously issued by a Davao City court.
"Whenever a resident of Davao says that their city is safe, it is not an urban legend; it is a fact. However, lately, impressions to the contrary have been circulating...I wonder if high confidence can compensate for low returns and low morale, especially if the latter come allegedly at the expense of the most fundamental human rights,” Dela Rosa said.
Before the hearing, Dela Rosa and other subcommittee members inspected the compound on Friday morning, amid reports of human rights violations and tunnel excavations in the search against Quiboloy, who is facing three arrest warrants – one from the Senate issued in March and two issued by the courts here and Pasig City in April for alleged sexual abuse and violence, child abuse, and human trafficking.
Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte here, in his opening statement during the hearing, welcomed the two panels to this city. He said the Senate investigation will help the people of Davao seek answers and clarity on the events at the compound in line with the PNP implementation of arrest warrants against specific individuals.
On August 24, at least 2,000 PNP personnel, led by Police Regional Office-11 Director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, acting under the directives of PNP chief Police Gen. Rommel Marbil, entered the compound supposedly to serve the warrants.
However, Duterte said what appears to be an arrest operation turned into a siege as PNP personnel have been occupying the private property without proper authority, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of the operation.
"The 13-day operation at the KOJC compound has raised questions from citizens on the integrity and legality of the operations. Are these operations being done by the PNP still within the bounds of the law? Are the rights of the Filipinos being respected and protected? These are the critical questions that demand answers," Duterte said.
He said the hearing is an opportunity not only for Davaoeños but also for all Filipinos to understand why these events are unfolding in this manner.
Duterte also questioned that if the PNP, the very institution that is mandated to uphold the law, is the one who violates it, where can the ordinary citizen turn for justice and protection? “Who will defend the rights of those who are powerless?”
He said the city government respects the implementation of any warrant as long as it is within the law and does not trample on the constitutional rights of others, as it is our firm belief that the pursuit of justice must never come at the expense of fairness and due process.
"Dabawenyos are peace-loving people, and we take immense pride in our city’s longstanding peace and order, which we all worked hard to sustain over the years. This is a product of the great collaboration among the law enforcement agencies, the local government unit (LGU), and the public. We are committed to maintaining this harmony and will continue working towards a safe, peaceful Davao City for all," Duterte said.
SEN. Ronald dela Rosa (center), with Senators Robinhood Padilla and Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, presides over a hearing of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee on Friday, September 6, on the ongoing Philippine National Police (PNP) operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and co-accused. (Ivy Tejano)
Duterte said the city is looking forward to a productive and insightful discussion during the hearing. Before leaving the session hall for another appointment, the city mayor urged Torre to shed light on the pressing issues and concerns raised during the operation at the compound since August 24.
Padilla reminded authorities to ensure the separation of Church and state is respected while carrying out the arrest warrants issued against the religious leader and his co-accused.
He said law enforcers should preserve the fundamental rights of innocent people and practice restraint in their pursuit of Quiboloy inside the compound.
Padilla clarified that there is no political partisanship in the investigation on the operation at the KOJC. He said they stand by what the Constitution states.
Go, concerned about the ongoing police presence at the compound, urged a resolution to the ongoing standoff between the police and KOJC.
He said the ongoing police presence creates anxiety among residents. “We just want peace and for this stand off to end. Hindi po kailanman magiging susi ang karahasan sa pagkamit natin ng hustisya (Violence is unnecessary in the pursuit of justice),” Go said.
Go acknowledged police efforts in keeping peace and order but he urged the PNP to show maximum tolerance in executing the arrest warrant for Quiboloy and his co-accused.