SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed deep concern and called for professionalism and accountability in the wake of a police operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
The operation, which took place at dawn on August 24, involved the deployment of approximately 2,000 police personnel to serve an arrest warrant on KOJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The raid reportedly led to the death of two civilians and several others being injured.
Go, in a radio interview on the same day, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the incident.
“Ako po’y taos pusong nakikiramay sa pamilya ng mga namatay o nasaktan kaninang umaga po sa isinagawang raid po ng kapulisan sa KOJC compound sa Davao City,” he stated.
The senator emphasized that while he understands the necessity of law enforcement operations, the use of excessive force and resulting harm to civilians are unacceptable.
“Alam ko na tungkulin po ng pulis na ipatupad ang batas. Ngunit kinokondena po natin ang karahasang nangyayari dahil importante po sa atin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go said.
Reflecting on the raid, Go highlighted the importance of safeguarding the lives of ordinary citizens, especially in sensitive situations.
“Full support ako sa ating uniformed personnel basta gawin niyo lang po ang inyong trabaho nang tama. Protect the people! Huwag naman overkill na may masasaktang ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino lalo na’t sa loob pa ito ng lugar ng pagdarasal,” he emphasized.
“Nakakalungkot isipin na bakit kailangang humantong sa paggamit ng dahas na ikinasawi ng dalawang kapwa tao at pagkasugat ng ilan pa ayon sa report,” he added.
As the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Go emphasized the progress made in professionalizing and modernizing the country’s uniformed personnel.
“We also successfully pushed for salary increases and modernization ng ating mga uniformed personnel noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” he remarked.
With this, Go’s consistent appeal to the PNP is for the police force to “remain professional by doing their duty in accordance with the law and in a manner that fulfills their mandate to serve and protect every Filipino.”
“Importante rito, ayusin ninyo ang inyong trabaho! Dapat po’y walang nasaktan. Kaya nga ang lagi kong payo sa mga pulis, just do what is right — proteksyunan ninyo ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino na walang bahid ng pang-aabuso at ng pulitika!,” he reiterated.
During a Senate Committee on Public Order hearing last August 5, Go already raised concerns regarding the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) alleged use of excessive force in an earlier police operation within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
“Ang atin lang po ay sana maging non-partisan kayo, gawin niyo lang po ang inyong trabaho, protektahan ang karapatan ng Pilipino. Every operation should be conducted within the bounds of law,” he said during that hearing.
He also highlighted that in the PNP’s operational procedures, only necessary and reasonable force should be used to accomplish the task of enforcing the law and maintaining peace and order. Moreover, he cited that the PNP’s manual explicitly states that weapons should only be used as a last resort. With this, questioned whether the PNP’s actions reflected its motto to protect and serve.
“Wala naman pong terorista, hindi naman po siguro terorista ang hinahanap ninyo… Pinapaalalahanan ko lang na gawin niyo po ‘yung tama,” he also said earlier.
