Ex-President Duterte condemns 'excessive' force in issuance of arrest warrant vs. Quiboloy

Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemns the "excessive and unnecessary force" in the manner that the warrants of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and five others were served in Davao City.

"I strongly condemn the use of excessive and unnecessary force in serving the warrant of arrest for Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by police officers who are not even from Davao City. This incident occurred within a place of worship and on school premises, which is absolutely unacceptable," he said in a statement.

"Will this overkill be the trademark of this administration when dealing with individuals who are merely accused of committing a crime and have not been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt?" he added.

Duterte was referring to the incident on Monday in which authorities served the warrants inside the KOJC Dome at Buhangin District past 5 a.m. 

A separate report by GMA Regional TV's Rgil Relator on Balitanghali said authorities attempted to enter the compound’s gate through a ladder.

This caused tension between KOJC missionaries, who were waiting outside the compound, and the police officers.

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.

Duterte also criticized the Marcos administration.

"Will they exhibit the same lack of self-restraint they have shown towards critics of this administration when dealing with their supporters?," said the former president.

"How can this administration guarantee the preservation of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even the most fundamental of these rights are being trampled upon and blatant violated?" he added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News