Metro Manila, Philippines – Three members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) have been arrested amid an ongoing operation to serve arrest warrants against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.
Davao Police Office spokesperson PMaj. Catherine dela Rey on Monday, Aug. 26 said the three KOJC members hit police personnel while their religious group was holding a rally.
Six cops were hurt during the prayer and candle-lighting vigil.
“Sila po ang nananakit po sa kapulisan. Sila po ang sumusugod. Sila ang nangbabato ng mga bagay, including mga upuan po. During po sa pagbabato nila ng bato, upuan, fire extinguisher, ang mga kasamahan din po nila na members ang nasasaktan,” dela Rey told NewsWatch Plus.
[Translation: They are hurting the police. They initiated the fight. They throw things like chairs. While they were throwing rocks, chairs, and fire extinguishers, their fellow members also got hurt.]
The arrested KOJC members will face obstruction of justice and direct assault complaints.
Dela Rey said two KOJC members have been injured.
Ferdinand Topacio, Quiboloy’s legal counsel, made an appeal before police amid supposed reports of human rights violations.
“Maawa naman kayo, may namatay na nga. Ilan pang mamamatay para tumigil kayo before you realize that what you’re doing is excessive?” Topacio said in a forum.
[Translation: Have mercy. Someone has died. How many people should be killed for you to stop and before you realize that what you’re doing is excessive?]
A KOJC member, manning one of the compound’s towers, lost consciousness as the police conducted operations. He was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.
The police said the death was not related to their operation, noting that the member had an underlying medical condition.
Dela Rey assured the public that the police are exercising maximum tolerance.
Based on the permit, members may only hold the vigil within the compound’s premises. But the protest rally extended up to the highway.
As of Monday noon, there were about 200 rallyists. The number of rallyists peaked on Sunday at about 1,000. Some 500 police personnel meanwhile are deployed.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said they will conduct a forced dispersal within the day.
“What we can assure you, hindi po manggagaling sa PNP ang panggugulo. Hanggat maaari, gusto nating maging matahimik po ‘yung dispersal mamaya, sila po mismo ang magtanggal. We appeal doon sa kanilang mga leaders of no less than ‘yung LGU (local government units) po ng Davao na tulungan po tayong makipag-negotiate sa kanila dahil hindi lamang po sila naaapektuhan ng ginawa nilang barikada diyan at maging ang ibang mamamayan ng Davao ay affected na rin po,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.
[Translation: What we can assure you, the chaos will not start with the PNP. As much as possible, we want to have a quiet dispersal later. We appeal to their leaders, no less than the LGU of Davao to help us in negotiating because they are not the only ones affected but other people as well.]
She added that the PNP will “implement the law” should there be “serious” resistance during the dispersal.
Meanwhile, an administrative case will be filed against a policeman who used pepper spray against one of the members in retaliation when the victim hurt him.
For two days already, the police have been attempting to issue arrest warrants against Quiboloy, who is facing child and sexual abuse cases.
Authorities say the pastor is holed up underground as they heard a heartbeat from their radar, but they are yet to locate an entry point.
