SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday called on the PNP leadership to check and make sure that none of its men are giving any kind of protection to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted by authorities in connection to a string of criminal offenses.
Hontiveros made the call after Quiboloy again gave the slip to fully-armed policemen who raided three KOJC compounds in Davao City to serve the arrest warrants issued by two Davao and Pasig trial courts against the religious leader and his co-accused who are all wanted for human trafficking, child abuse, and sexual abuse.
“There may have been a breakdown in PNP intel gathering. I said so the moment PNP failed to locate Quiboloy’s whereabouts after the issuance of several warrants of arrest several months ago,” Hontiveros said.
She said the PNP must ensure that its men are not influenced by Quiboloy or even former President Duterte, who is a known ally of the KOJC leader.
“Huwag na rin sanang pagtakpan ni Duterte si Quiboloy. Tumulong na lang siya tumunton kung nasaan ang kaibigan niya. I trust that more of our men and women in uniform are also doing all they can to bring Quiboloy to justice (I also urged former president Duterte not to cover up Quiboloy. He should just instead help locate his friend. I trust that more of our men and women in uniform are also doing all they can to bring Quiboloy to justice),” she added.
A team of police operatives raided the KOJC College near the Davao City airport, and the Glory and Prayer Mountains in Barangay Tamayong on Monday to serve the arrest orders on Quiboloy.
Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao regional police office, has said that the raid was set after the police received information that Quiboloy and his cohorts were hiding in one of the properties. .
Dela Rey said supporters of Quiboloy refused entry to the policemen at one of the KOJC compounds during yesterday’s operation, prompting the lawmen to destroy the gate.
She said supporters of Quiboloy also tried to deny access to the policemen to another compound, but after negotiations, Dela Rey said lawmen were allowed to enter.
Quiboloy was not found in any of the raided places.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday defended Quiboloy anew, protesting what she called the “questionable” use of force by the police who raided three of the wanted evangelist’s compounds to serve warrants of arrest for charges of human trafficking, child abuse and sexual abuse.
“Kaisa ako sa mga nananawagan ng maayos, katanggap-tanggap, at makataong pagpapairal ng batas at pagtataguyod ng hustisya sa ating bansa. Kasunod ito ng magulong pagpapatupad ng arrest warrant kay Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy kahapon na sanhi ng kwestyonableng pagpapakita ng labis na pwersa at otoridad sa harap ng mga sibilyan (I join those calling for an orderly, acceptable and humane enforcement of the law and promotion of justice in our country. This is in the wake of the serving of arrest warrant against Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy yesterday caused by a questionable show of force and authority in the face of civilians),” the Vice President said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Duterte, who has been drawing flak for remaining silent in the face of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) while consistently speaking out to defend Quiboloy, said authorities have to be reminded that in the performance of their duties, the safety of civilians, especially the youth, is of paramount importance.
“Huwag din sana nating kalimutan na ang pandarahas sa ating mga mamamayan ay paglapastangan sa ating demokrasya. Sana ay mapanatili natin ang respeto, kaayusan, at kapayapaan sa ating bansa (May we also not forget that committing violence against civilians is a desecration of our democracy. We hope to maintain respect, order and peace in our country),” she said.
The Vice President also called on the people of Davao and the rest of the country “to unite in praying for truth and justice to prevail.” — With Wendell Vigilia
