ATTY. Salvador Panelo has a strong message for the Philippine National Police including its spokesperson after the government agency released a statement regarding it’s serving a warrant of arrest against 6 individuals in various properties of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
“But you don’t see maximum tolerance, right? Were the words “maximum tolerance” applied?” according to Atty. Salvador ‘Sal’ Panelo, Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
What maximum tolerance? There was maximum abuse.
“Maximum tolerance”
This is what the Philippine National Police (PNP) insisted it applied when it put 5 Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) properties under siege and even forcibly entered some on Monday, the 10th of June.
Contrary to what had actually happened that day.
Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo strongly opposed the PNP’s statement as he believes that maximum abuse was applied rather than “maximum tolerance”.
It can be remembered that past 3 in the morning on Monday, the PNP surrounded the central headquarters of KOJC.
Authorities in full battle gear used force against defenseless missionaries – something that was condemned by several groups and individuals from all over the world.
Meanwhile, Atty. Panelo has a message for the spokesperson of the PNP.
“You know that Col. Fajardo… Col. Fajardo, what you are saying is pure nonsense. You don’t even understand what you’re saying. Because you said, “maximum tolerance”. You don’t even understand what maximum tolerance means. Maximum tolerance” was used in the time of our [current] president’s father because activists then were always rallying and aggressive – rallies were always heated. That’s why it was said in those days – don’t react too much to the demonstrators. You have to be tolerant – maximum. That is only applicable, if there is demonstrators restive and heated, in other words, aggressive. But that’s not applicable to what you did to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ because there was none of that. So, how can you say that maximum tolerance was needed?” Panelo added.
“So, what you are saying Col. Fajardo… is she a lawyer? You happen to be a lawyer. Before you speak, you must first comprehend what is about to come out of your mouths,” Panelo added.
[It’s opposite to what is happening here, attorney. Not only the opposite, they don’t even understand what they are saying] Yes, that’s right,” Panelo remarks.
Atty. Panelo to the PNP: Arrest your commander for giving wrong orders
Atty. Panelo also stressed that should the same incident reoccur then the police must arrest the commander for giving the wrong orders.
Panelo added that the camp of KOJC can even file cases of conspiracy against the authorities.
“You know, my advice to the police, when the orders that are given to you are illegal, wrong, irregular, arrest your commander because that is your job – to enforce the law,” he added.
“Plus, they took an oath. When you are illegally and irregularly ordered by the chief of police, director of the PNP, provincial director, chief of police, arrest them. There’s too many of you. When it’s wrong, our countrymen are ahead of you, behind you, and beside you,” he added.
“If I were the police or we are the police and give wrong orders, I will arrest you. I will lock you up. That’s the attitude you policemen should have,” he said.
Stand firm.
“You know, that operation, it cannot be carried out without the orders of those above them,” he expressed.
[So, include them?] Include them,” he said.
[But attorney, for you…]
Conspiracy.
It can be remembered that the inhumane invasion carried out by the authorities in KOJC compounds took place two days before the 12th of June – the day of the Philippine Independence Day.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. released a statement for the 126th National Celebration and immediately, Atty. Panelo reacted to this.
“[The president even said, attorney, on this Independence Day, true spirit of freedom lives in every Filipino.] You know, that’s easy to say. You must internalize it, live it. Walk your talk and sing your song,” he concluded.
