INTERNATIONAL Lawyer Atty. Arnedo Valera strongly opposes the forced entry of armed PNP-CIDG and SAF into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Compounds in Davao City and Sarangani Province on Monday, June 10.
“But it is very clear that what they entered was a place of worship, they showed no respect for the institutions housed there. They knew that it is used for the worship and prayer of our people here,” Atty. Arnedo Valera, International Lawyer stated.
The lawyer points out that this action is a clear violation of human rights and freedom of religion, as the physical characteristics of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ include prayer rooms and other facilities designated for religious activities of KOJC members.
“That is a place of worship, so it is sad that the use of excessive force violated what we call the basic principle of proportionality, where you cannot use force to carry out, for example, the execution of an arrest warrant and deceive and use it as a search warrant because that cannot be done.”
“What is evident here is the creation of a battalion to execute an arrest warrant on an individual. So, it seems that the use of armed force created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear that truly disturbs the freedom of religion of our brethren in KOJC,” Valera remarks.
According to Valera, not only human rights were clearly violated but also the Philippine Constitution and the international covenant on civil and political rights, international law, and the universal declaration of human rights, which provide rights and security, especially in freedom of religion.
Valera also mentions that at least the police could have respected the place because there was no indication of immediate threat or violent opposition from the KOJC community.
Moreover, Valera notes that the KOJC was willing to face the armed PNP-CIDG and SAF.
