Duterte: PH in ‘even more tragic state’ during Quiboloy hunt

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday criticized the police's recent attempt to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and close ally Apollo Quiboloy.

Members of the Philippine National Police flocked to the KOJC compound in Davao City on Saturday to execute the arrest warrant against Quiboloy, who is accused of human trafficking and sexual abuse.

A member of the KOJC died of a heart attack during the police operation.

“Our country has never been in a more tragic state than today. Rights have been trampled upon and our laws mocked,” Duterte said in a statement.

“We sympathise with the members of the KOJC who have been victims of political harassment, persecution, violence and abuse of power. This undoubtedly casts a dark shadow on the hands of those involved in today's incident, which was spearheaded by none other than the highest-ranking police officer in the region,” he added.

“We call on the remaining decent and patriotic members of our government not to allow themselves to be abused and not to resort to abuse and violence in enforcing illegal orders.”

Duterte also called on “all Filipinos, regardless of their political persuasion, to pray for peace and justice and to save our people from the unjustified tensions caused by the reign of fear and terror by people who are sworn to uphold the law and protect the citizens of this country.”

“Let us ask this government again how it can guarantee the protection of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipino citizens when even the most basic of these rights are blatantly violated.”

Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Imee Marcos also expressed their displeasure with the police’s implementation of the arrest warrant.

Marcos said the deployment of 2,000 police officers to the KOJC was “both unjustified and unwarranted.”

“The unrest, fear and alleged deaths caused by such a massive show of force among bystanders and those simply exercising their constitutionally protected rights are unacceptable,” she added.

“I continue to appeal to the PNP to ensure that our police remain professional by performing their duty in accordance with the law and fulfilling their mandate to serve and protect every Filipino!” Go said.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, meanwhile, called on Quiboloy to surrender to the authorities in light of the issuance of several arrest warrants.

“We cannot hide forever,” he told reporters in Davao City. “But we can't do anything if he doesn't want to surrender. It's his decision.”

Quiboloy has denied the allegations against him.

Despite KOJC's claim of “ongoing harassment,” Police Regional Office 11 insisted that its units would not leave the KOJC compound until Quiboloy was found and arrested.

Dela Rosa said he would launch a Senate investigation into the police conduct at the KOJC compound. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News