The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) condemns in the strongest possible terms the new assault by police units on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City on August 24, as this clearly demonstrates the temerity and intent of the present administration to strike fear in the hearts of unarmed people by using heavily-armed uniformed personnel.
PDP Secretary-General Atty. Aimee Torrefranca-Neri said that the latest assault by the units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the KOJC compound nearly two months after the first raid was meant to send a strong signal that opponents and critics of the Marcos Jr. administration will be dealt with using excessive force.
She added that the KOJC compound housed people of various ages, including children and elderly were traumatized by the sight of heavily-armed uniformed personnel entering a peaceful religious community.
“The KOJC compound also housed vulnerable people whose rights and welfare are protected under the law like elderly and children, and the excessive use of force is totally unwarranted. It also creates a warzone atmosphere in an erstwhile safe and peaceful environment that is known globally as one of the major centers of commerce in Mindanao,” said Atty. Torrefranca- Neri.
“This is simply overkill and a total disregard of the rights of vulnerable people in our society. The worse thing is that it appears like a martial law is already in force or will be imposed by the current administration,” she added.
Based on the testimonies of KOJC members who witnessed the raid, the police personnel who took part in the raid destroyed the back door gate leading to the private hangar of KOJC, and threw tear gas bombs on unarmed KOJC members.
One of the KOJC members suffered a heart attack and died as his fellow members were not able to rush him immediately to the hospital.
Atty. Torrefranca-Neri said that the PNP should be made to account on the conduct of the raid, as the rights of the unarmed KOJC members were violated.
“The PDP challenges this administration and their allies in Congress to probe this raid and hold accountable those who led and sanctioned the raid,” she added.
She said that this clearly demonstrates the disregard of the Marcos, Jr. administration of basic human rights.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the PDP Laban Facebook Page.
