DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 12 June)—The Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Davao Region has asked the followers and supporters of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy to let the legal process take its course.
Policemen serve the arrest warrants against fugitive preacher Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the KOJC compound in Buhangin, Davao City on Monday (10 June 2024). MindaNews photo by IAN CARL ESPINOSA
This after several members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) resisted the simultaneous serving of arrest warrants last Monday at the KOJC Compound in Catitipan and Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, Calinan District, this city.
Maj, Catherine dela Rey, PRO-Davao spokesperson, said during Davao Peace and Security Press Conference on Wednesday that the KOJC members should convince the “wanted” religious leader to surrender peacefully to authorities and face the charges against him.
She said that their personnel conducted simultaneous operations to comply with the lawful order of the court.
Authorities attempted to serve the warrants of arrest at 5:35 a.m. on Monday against Quiboloy and Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes, who are the pastor’s co-accused in the criminal charge for human trafficking.
“We did not do it on our own. It was part of our mandate, as law enforcers, to serve the warrants of arrest. That’s why we are appealing to the supporters and followers of Pastor Quiboloy. Just like any other citizens, he enjoys the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Serving the warrants was made so that he could face the charges filed against him,” Dela Rey said.
She urged Quiboloy’s supporters to allow the authorities to serve warrants of arrest without resistance.
She said that throughout the operations, police authorities remained composed and demonstrated “maximum tolerance” despite being allegedly assaulted by some followers of Quiboloy.
Dela Rey said that police enforcers were sprayed on using “water cannon” outside the KOJC Compound while some of the officers serving the warrants in Barangay Tamayong were assaulted and threatened with bolos after breaking in at Quiboloy’s property.
After encountering strong resistance from the pastor’s followers, she added that authorities entered the KOJC Compound after negotiations with some church officials.
Dela Rey said that the police would file charges for “obstruction of justice” against six persons who allegedly attacked the police with deadly weapons during their operations in Barangay Tamayong.
Two minors were rescued from the Glory Mountain in Tamayong, she said.
She said police confiscated 17 pieces of bolo with scabbard and one improvised “marble gun.”
She said the suspects were temporarily released but charges are being prepared against them.
Dela Rey maintained that police personnel did not use excessive force in implementing the warrants of arrest.
She said that PRO-Davao requested for police augmentation from other regions to ensure safety and operational effectiveness in the service of warrants, considering the areas where the warrants were served and the number of persons to be arrested.
Dela Rey added that police will continue to look for Quiboloy.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PRO-Davao said the operations were conducted with “the utmost consideration for safety and regularity, following strict protocols to minimize disruption and ensure the safety of the public.”
It said that under the established rules of engagement and operational procedures, police personnel “carry basic police equipment as part and mandated by our police operational procedures such as but not limited to issued firearms, restraining devices, personal protective equipment, and other accessories required for a particular type of operation being conducted.”
“We understand the concerns about the use of force. The police officers employed reasonable measures to restrain some individuals who were obstructing the service of arrest warrants,” the statement said.
It added that the PRO-Davao’s primary objective is to maintain public trust and ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)