Duterte condemns ‘gross abuse of police power’ in raid of Quiboloy’s compound

To sum up:

+ Vice President Sara Duterte condemns the supposed “gross abuse of police power” following the attempt by Davao police to serve an arrest warrant against Apollo Quiboloy in his church’s compound.

+ A 51-year-old male member of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, who was manning one of the watchtowers in the compound, died during Saturday’s search due to cardiac arrest.

+ Senate allies condemn the raid and the deployment of 2,000 police personnel to implement the warrant of arrest.

+ Sara apologizes to the KOJC for asking them to support Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 national elections.

+ Apollo Quiboloy has still not been found.

Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the supposed “gross abuse of police power” following the attempt of Davao police to serve the arrest warrant against Apollo Quiboloy in his church’s compound.

In a statement on Sunday, Aug. 25, Duterte said she does not object to the lawful implementation of a warrant of arrest, but the “use of violence” against members of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) was not acceptable.

Personnel from the Police Regional Office (PRO) of Davao region — believed to be 2,000 in number — stormed the KOJC compound in Davao City early Saturday morning. The police have since stayed in the area until Quiboloy is arrested.

A 51-year-old male KOJC member, who was manning one of the watchtowers in the compound, died during the search due to cardiac arrest, state media Philippine News Agency reported. 

“I vehemently condemn the gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound earlier today, which led to the harassment of religious worshipers, the abuse of minors, and the unnecessary loss of life,” Duterte said.

“These acts are not only a blatant violation of Constitutionally-protected rights but a betrayal of the trust that we, Filipinos, place in the very institution sworn to protect and serve us,” she added.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte said that the country “has never been in a more tragic state as it is today. Rights have been trampled upon and our laws, derided.”

“We sympathize with the members of the KoJC for having become victims of political harassment, persecution, violence and abuse of authority,” the Duterte patriarch said in a statement Saturday. “This certainly puts a dark stain on the hands of those involved in today’s incident, led by no less than the top police official of the region.”

“We call on the remaining decent and patriotic members of our government not to allow themselves to be used and to be abusive and violent in enforcing illegal orders,” he also said.

On Saturday, the PRO-Davao maintained its personnel “were simply fulfilling their duty in executing the Warrant of Arrest for Pastor Quiboloy, who has been evading law enforcement,” and that the death of the KOJC member “was not related to the ongoing implementation of the Warrant of Arrest.”

Quiboloy, a Filipino megachurch leader, is one of the allies of the Dutertes. He was the spiritual advisor of President Duterte during his time in office.

A self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” Quiboloy is facing arrest warrants for abuse and human trafficking cases in Davao and Pasig courts.

The televangelist is also wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme and sex trafficking, among others.

Quiboloy has still not been found.

Senate allies stand with KOJC

Allies of the Duterte family condemned the incident.

Sen. Bong Go, a long-time personal aide and former special assistant to Rodrigo Duterte, said he fully supports the uniformed personnel but they should do their job correctly.

“Protect the people!” Go said. “Huwag naman overkill na may masasaktang ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino lalo na’t sa loob pa ito ng lugar ng pagdarasal [It should not be an overkill that will result in hurting ordinary Filipinos, especially inside a place of prayer].”

Sen. Imee Marcos said the deployment of 2,000 police personnel for the manhunt was “unwarranted and unjustified.” She added that the “excessive show of force” by the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be stopped.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa went to the compound on Saturday and told reporters there that he might call for a Senate inquiry into the incident.

In a media interview shared on his Facebook page, Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief during the Duterte administration, said if he were still the country’s top cop, “this will not happen.”

He said he was concerned about why KOJC members were supposedly barred from entering the compound, a private property. He also believed that the police should not have occupied the compound.

Continued souring of Uniteam alliance

Vice President Duterte said she could not avoid but think that the “uncommon force” and “unjust abuse” to ordinary Filipinos in implementing the arrest warrant was because Quiboloy is a Duterte supporter.

“Kaya nais ko ring humingi ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng miyembro, deboto at bumubuo ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, sa paghikayat at pakiusap ko sa inyong iboto si Bongbong Marcos Jr. noong 2022,” she said. “Nawa’y mapatawad ninyo ako. You deserve better.”

[Translation: That’s why I ask for forgiveness to all members, devotees, and those who constitute the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for my encouragement and request to vote Bongbong Marcos Jr. in 2022. I hope you all forgive me. You deserve better.]

Marcos and Duterte fielded a “Uniteam” ticket to the 2022 national elections. The alliance has since broken up due to differences on various issues including the International Criminal Court investigation into the previous administration’s war on drugs and the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos has urged fugitive Quiboloy to show up and face charges.

“Again, let us ask this administration how it can guarantee the preservation of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even the most fundamental of these rights are being blatantly violated?” Rodrigo said.