MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has vehemently condemned what she called “gross abuse of police power” allegedly used by authorities during the latest service of arrest warrants against fugitive Apollo Quiboloy and others, while also apologizing to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) members for asking them to vote for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 polls.
Duterte issued a statement on Sunday after around 2,000 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) raided the KJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City.
“Mga kababayan, hindi ko tinututulan ang implementasyon ng anumang warrant of arrest na naaayon sa batas. Ngunit kailanman ay hindi katanggap-tanggap ang paggamit ng dahas laban sa mga inosenteng mamamayan at mga deboto ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ,” the vice president said.
(To my fellow Filipinos, I am not against implementing any arrest warrant that goes by our law. But it is never acceptable to use violence against innocent citizens and devotees of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.)
READ: 2,000 cops surround KOJC complex, arrest warrant vs. Quiboloy served anew
“I vehemently condemn the gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound earlier today, which led to the harassment of religious worshipers, the abuse of minors, and the unnecessary loss of life,” she added.
READ: KJC member died from fatigue, not due to raid vs. Quiboloy
“These acts are not only a blatant violation of Constitutionally-protected rights but a betrayal of the trust that we, Filipinos, place in the very institution sworn to protect and serve us,” she further said.
The vice president likewise questioned the service of arrest warrants against Quiboloy, a known “Duterte supporter.”
“Kaya nais ko ring huminging kapatawaran sa lahat ng miyembro, deboto at bumubuo ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, sa paghikayat at pakiusap ko sa inyong iboto si Bongbong Marcos Jr. noong 2022. Nawa’y mapatawad ninyo ako,” Duterte said.
(So I also want to ask for forgiveness from all the members, devotees, and constituents of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, for encouraging and begging you to vote for Bongbong Marcos Jr. in 2022. May you forgive me.)
“You deserve better. Filipinos deserve better,” she added.
Last April 3, a Davao Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and his five subordinates. They are facing charges of violating the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.
On the same day, Cresente and Pauline Canada as well as Sylvia Camañes turned themselves in and posted P80,000 bail each, while Ingrid Canada and Jacklyn Roy surrendered to authorities and posted bail on April 4.
Days later on April 11, a Pasig City court also issued a warrant for the arrest of the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” for qualified human trafficking, a nonbailable offense.