ON Monday, the Senate investigated the violent attack conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the religious compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City, aimed at serving an arrest warrant on Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and five others.
During the Senate Committee on Public Order hearing led by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, PNP Chief Rommel Marbil insisted that their simultaneous raid was neither excessive nor violent.
On the other hand, KOJC Executive Secretary Nori Cardona, tearfully shared what really happened during that day.
Aside from the violence of the PNP’s attack, two indigenous people were killed due to severe trauma, and many were injured.
‘‘The following day, the father died. That day, his wife was still making coffee for the soldiers, trembling, and after a few days, she had a stroke. William could not bury his father because his wife had a stroke. We took her to the hospital, and soon after, she died too,’’ statement of Sis. Eleanor “Nori” Cardona, Executive Secretary, KOJC.
KOJC Legal Counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon meanwhile detailed the PNP’s mistakes in their overkill operation.
These included the lack of a search warrant, a fishing expedition or uncertainty in the police operation, the excessive use of drones in the KOJC central compound despite it being a no-fly zone, illegal wiretapping, and violence in a church and school area.
Despite this, the PNP insists that there was nothing wrong with their raid, as they followed protocols, a statement that did not escape criticism from Senator Bato, a former PNP Chief.
‘‘We are not only looking for fugitive [Pastor] Quiboloy but also five other co-accused,’’ PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Chief, PNP, said.
‘‘So, I am asking you, who are you looking for there, who are you looking for in these 123 areas so that we are clear that this is not a fishing expedition as alleged by Atty. Torreon, which is quite obvious if you are looking for these five in five places,’’ Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Chair, Committee on Human Rights said.
KOJC Administrator Nelida Lizada expressed her frustration with the police.
According to her, KOJC had no choice but to defend itself because the PNP’s raid was excessive and she even called it “terroristic.”
‘‘I contest what he said that they only served a warrant of arrest. You did not just serve a warrant of arrest; you raided us in a horrible and terroristic way. Busloads and truckloads of men in uniform. It was early morning, and some were still asleep. We had just woken up. Would you want to be raided like that? We were carrying the Bible, and we said, “Is this how it is?!”, according to Nelida Lizada, Administrator, KOJC.
Marbil assured that the PNP would adhere to rules of procedure and respect for human rights if only Pastor Apollo and the other four surrendered.
‘‘I assure you as Chief PNP that we will follow rules and human rights if you just surrender Pastor Quiboloy and the 4 others. You will see that we follow rules on human rights,’’ PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Chief, PNP also said.
However, Senator Bato disagreed and called it unfair, explaining that no one actually knows Pastor Apollo’s current whereabouts.
‘‘It’s unfair for them to require you to surrender Pastor Quiboloy first for things to be peaceful in Davao. For all you know, even President Duterte does not have contact with Pastor Quiboloy,’’ Dela Rosa added.
The hearing is scheduled to continue on August 20.
