JUST days after the traumatic events of June 10th, where heavily-armed forces raided various KOJC compounds, the Philippine National Police (PNP) defended their actions as legal and justifiable. They alleged that KOJC missionaries attacked them and used water cannons, a claim contradicted by CCTV footage and videos presented by KOJC.
On June 13th, KOJC unveiled the truth and narrated the events with solid evidence.
Sis. Eleanor Cardona, the church’s executive secretary, expressed the emotional toll of the events and the frustration over misreported facts.
“It hurts to recall what happened on June 10. What’s even more painful is that all the news reports are the opposite of what actually happened. That’s why we are here today, to speak up and reveal the truth about what really happened,” said Sis. Eleanor Cardona, Executive Secretary, KOJC.
KOJC minister recounts ordeal when heavily-armed authorities stormed in KOJC compound
Carlo Catiil, one of the KOJC ministers, described their usual morning devotional prayers abruptly interrupted by alarms and the sight of the compound gates shaking.
He suddenly saw a man with a helmet trying to climb over the gate, which alarmed him, and he called his fellow missionaries.
He recounted trying to communicate with the authorities peacefully.
“We’re the ones who thought of that. We don’t want trouble. We always shout, ‘sir, that’s enough, sir, what do you need, we have a lawyer,’ that’s what we insist on. On my part, I really said, ‘sir, do we have black and white, do we have documents, sir? Because we can wait for our lawyer.’ As if they are not listening and they didn’t hear anything.”
“So, we will not just allow it without question. For us, it’s like trespassing. We asked, “what is this for, sir, ma’am?” until they retreated because we hit them with a water cannon. That is a sign of our self-defense,” said Bro. Carlo Catiil, Minister, KOJC.
It’s still traumatizing to hear sirens after the raids
Sis. Cardona also mentioned how even children were traumatized by the events.
“Although we cannot avoid it when the siren sounds, you can really see the fear in the eyes of the children,” according to Sis. Eleanor Cardona, Executive Secretary, KOJC.
KOJC legal counsel disputes: There was no intelligence at all
Meanwhile, Atty. Israelito Torreon refuted claims by officials justifying the excessive force, including issues on rules of engagement.
Asked by the media whether there could have been a failure on intelligence,
“I don’t think there was a failure of intelligence. There was no intelligence at all.”
“I would like to correct again perhaps to infuse some intelligence to this answer of DOJ Usec. Raul Vasquez by saying that there are rules of engagement in the implementation of the warrant of arrest,” Atty. Israelito Torreon, Legal Counsel, KOJC stated.
KOJC legal counsel disputes: ‘Authorities violated the rules of engagement’
“You are the ones violating the rules of engagement, not the members of the KOJC,” added Atty. Torreon.
Meanwhile, Atty. Adam Jambangan also emphasized the violation the police authorities.
“It’s really a violation of the right of the people to be informed as to ano ‘yung gagawin. Because when you say arrest or if you are holding a warrant of arrest, there’s a separate rule and when you say you are armed with a search warrant there is also a different rule for that. It’s basic in criminal procedure that rule 113 is for the arrest and rule 126 is for the search,” said Atty. Adam Jambangan, Legal Counsel, KOJC.
The legal counsel also explained and stressed that there we’re no obstruction of justice committed.
“In this case, we did not prevent them of implementing the warrant of arrest. Lahat kami, uniform ‘yung protocol na we will welcome the implementation. It’s just that we need to have it organized and we have to do it in a reasonable and proper manner ang execution,” ayon pa kay Atty. Jambangan.
The KOJC camp is now studying the possible charges they will file against the authorities involved in the violations.
To recall, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is also the administrator of the KOJC properties, vows to go after the police who violated the law.
KOJC vows to defend for their rights absolutely
Meanwhile, the executive secretary of KOJC shared the last message of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy when they last met about the Kingdom.
“Before pastor left, he said, “this is our Alamo. This is our last stand, we will not give it to anyone. Kasi ito na ‘yun. This is our only place. This is our birthright. Ito ‘yung lugar namin,” wika ni Sis. Eleanor Cardona, Executive Secretary, KOJC.
