Duterte: PH in 'more tragic state' amid hunt for Quiboloy

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday criticized the latest police attempt to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and close ally, Apollo Quiboloy.

Philippine National Police personnel trooped to the KOJC compound in Davao City on Saturday to serve the arrest warrant for Quiboloy, who is facing human trafficking and sexual abuse charges.

A member of KOJC died during the police operation due to a heart attack.

''Our country has never been in a more tragic state as it is today. Rights have been trampled upon and our laws derided,'' Duterte said in a statement.

''We sympathize with the members of the KOJC for having become victims of political harassment, persecution, violence, and abuse of authority. This certainly puts a dark stain on the hands of those involved in today's incident, led by no less than the top police official of the region,'' he added.

''We call on the remaining decent and patriotic members of our government not to allow themselves to be used and to be abusive and violent in enforcing illegal orders.''

Duterte also asked ''all Filipinos, regardless of political persuasion, to offer prayers for peace and justice and to spare our people from the unwarranted tension brought about by the reign of fear and terror by people sworn to uphold the law and protect the citizens of this country.''

''Again, let us ask this administration how it can guarantee the preservation of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even the most fundamental of these rights are being blatantly violated.''

Senators Christopher "Bong" Go and Imee Marcos also expressed disapproval of the police's implementation of the arrest warrant.

Marcos said the deployment of 2,000 police personnel at KOJC was ''both unwarranted and unjustified.''

''The disturbance, fear, and even reported death that such a massive show of force caused to bystanders and to those who were simply exercising their constitutionally protected rights is unacceptable,'' she added.

''My consistent appeal to the PNP is for our police force to remain professional by doing your duty in accordance with the law and in a manner that fulfills your mandate to serve and protect every Filipino!'' Go said.

Senator Ronald ''Bato'' Dela Rosa, meanwhile, urged Quiboloy to surrender to the authorities in light of the release of several arrest warrants.

''We cannot hide forever,'' he told reporters in Davao City. ''Kung ayaw niya, wala tayo magagawa (But we can't do anything if he doesn't want to surrender). It's his call.''

Quiboloy has denied the accusations against him.

Despite KOJC's claim of ''continuous harassment,'' the Police Regional Office 11 has insisted that their units would not leave the KOJC compound until Quiboloy was found and arrested.

Dela Rosa said he would call a Senate inquiry into the police's actions at the KOJC compound. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News