House leaders tell ex-Pres. Duterte: Uphold justice, let PNP do its job

Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte. —Photo from Bong Go Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Two ranking officials of the House of Representatives have called on former President Rodrigo Duterte to just let the Philippine National Police (PNP) do its job and implement arrest orders against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.

In a statement on Monday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said Duterte, as a former chief executive, should understand how important it is for the PNP to implement its job.

Gonzales and Acidre’s statements came after Duterte questioned the manner in which the PNP searched the KJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City, saying that police officers forced their way resulting into a violent confrontation.

READ: Ex-Pres. Duterte urges gov’t to reject ‘abusive, violent’ orders after KJC raid

“Former President Duterte, as a former chief executive, you understand better than anyone the importance of law enforcement in upholding justice. Our police officers were enforcing a legitimate court order, and they should be allowed to do their job without undue interference,” Gonzales, Duterte’s former party-mate at PDP-Laban, said.

Dangerous precedent

“Your recent remarks risk undermining the integrity of our justice system and could set a dangerous precedent where the rule of law is overshadowed by political rhetoric,” he added.

READ: VP Duterte condemns latest KJC raid, asks forgiveness for Marcos vote plea

Duterte has called on “the remaining decent and patriotic members” of the government not to allow themselves to be used in the enforcement of “abusive and violent” illegal orders following the latest raid in the KJC compound.

But Gonzales maintained that there was a legitimate court order to arrest Quiboloy, who is facing child abuse and human trafficking charges.

“The PNP acted in accordance with a lawful court directive. To suggest otherwise is not only misleading but also harmful to our democratic institutions. We cannot afford to erode the public’s trust in our legal processes,” he noted.

Acidre meanwhile reminded Duterte and the public that Quiboloy is facing grave charges, and has to show up so that justice can be delivered.

“Pastor Quiboloy is a fugitive facing serious charges, and the PNP was simply fulfilling its duty to enforce the law. It’s imperative that we allow our law enforcement agencies to operate without political interference,” he said.

Cloud the issue

“Former President Duterte, your defense of Quiboloy only serves to cloud the issue. The law must apply to everyone equally, and any attempt to shield someone from justice sets a dangerous example,” he added.

The Dutertes—from the former president, to Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte—have questioned the police for its operation at the KJC compound.

The Vice President on Sunday vehemently condemned what she called a “gross abuse of police power” used by authorities during operations to arrest Quiboloy.

Last Saturday, around 2,000 PNP officers raided the compound, leading church members to stage protests in the vicinity of Buhangin District.

Vice President Duterte also apologized to KJC members for asking them to vote for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 polls.

Mayor Duterte on Monday said that while the city respects any operation done by the police, the PNP’s raid of the KJC compound is no longer following the proper procedure.

But Acidre said that the Dutertes’ statements may only politicize law enforcement when it should not be.

“Law enforcement must be impartial and free from political influence. By questioning the PNP’s actions in this case, you are risking the politicization of our police force, which could lead to a breakdown in the rule of law,” he said.

“We urge everyone, including former President Duterte, to stand with our police officers as they perform their duties. They are the front line in our fight to uphold justice, and they deserve our full support,” Acidre said. Justice must be served, and it must be served fairly and without obstruction. Let us all commit to supporting our law enforcement officers as they work to ensure that the law is applied equally to all.”