ON the afternoon of July 19, 2024, members of the B’laan tribe went to the Prosecutor’s Office in Alabel, Sarangani.
They represent their fellow IPs, whose homes were attacked on June 10, 2024, by PNP Special Action Force personnel in full battle gear.
The violent attack by the combined forces of the PNP Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on the KOJC religious compounds left deep scars.
The said attack was conducted to locate Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
Pastor Apollo had built facilities for the B’laan tribe in their community, and some KOJC missionaries were assigned there.
According to KOJC Legal Counsel Atty. Adam Jambangan, the filing of the case marks the beginning of justice for the victims.
“This is important on their part and even as their legal practitioner somebody must be answerable of the commission of the crime was taken place during the June 10 incident, so it is an advance move to the part of the B’laan Group as well as the people of Kitbog that justice is starting to run on them. Filing this case is the most important part right now,” according to Atty. Adam Jambangan, KOJC Legal Counsel.
Among those charged are Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, PNP Chief Rommel Marbil, BGen Aligre Martires Regional Director Pnp Region XI, BGen Percival Augustus Lacer, Regional Director PNP Region XII, PMaj Ronald Oliver Lee, PNP Directorate Operations Head, PCol Edwin Portento PNP Intelligence Group Director, BGen Mark Pespes PNP SAF Director and the armed PNP SAF personnel who conducted the attack.
The charges include grave coercion, unjust vexation, and violation of domicile.
To recall, two indigenous people died due to stress and anxiety caused by the attack, which occurred without a search warrant.
Others were forcibly removed from their homes despite requests for consideration for those who were ill or elderly.
According to Atty. Jambangan, this is just the beginning of their legal actions.
“There will be series of cases to be filed in the succeeding weeks, the filing today is an important first step,” Atty. Jambangan added.
The B’laan tribe is not the only group filing charges. In fact, all those who have been wronged by the PNP SAF and CIDG in their violent attack on the KOJC religious compounds will also pursue legal action.
