Bato Dela Rosa: Pull out cops at KOJC compound

Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order the withdrawal of 2,000 cops deployed at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao to serve arrest warrants against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

In a privilege speech, Dela Rosa urged Marcos Jr. to “listen to the hearts” of the KOJC members and Jose Maria College Foundation students, whose religious freedom and academic rights were impacted by the police operations.

“Pagod na rin ang mga tao. More precisely, pagod na rin ang mga puso ng mga tao. Their weary hearts have resorted to seemingly marching to a different beat, regretting their choice of leadership, losing their hope,” said dela Rosa. 

(People are already exhausted. More precisely, the hearts of people are exhausted. They have resorted to beating to a different drum, regretting their choice of leadership, and losing hope.)

“Yet, I stand here with unwavering faith in you, as the father of our nation. I for one still believe in your capacity to care for every Filipino. After all, regardless of where we find ourselves politically, socially, religiously, or even physically, we all share the same heart and spirit,” he added. 

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) trooped to the KOJC property early Saturday to serve the warrant of arrest. One KOJC member died of a heart attack amid the police operation. 

Earlier, the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 issued a temporary protection order (TPO) in favor of KOJC, directing the PNP to cease actions that threaten the safety and security of KOJC members.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go condemned the “excessive use of force” of the PNP during the operations, saying they implemented “maximum terrorism” instead of maximum tolerance. 

Go said he received reports of cops allegedly using tear gas and pepper sprays against civilians. He also said some members of the KOJC legal team were barred from entering the compound. 

“With the court issuance of a temporary protection order, we pray that peace and normalcy will return to the KOJC compound. The occupation of police personnel in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City and the terror it brings to the community causes concern,” he said.

“While it is the duty of the police to serve an arrest warrant, there is no excuse for using force creating fear, compromising the safety of civilians, disrupting the peace in the community, and occupying a place of worship,” the senator added. 

For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Quiboloy to turn himself in and face the charges against him. 

“Kung papakinggan natin ang heartbeat ng KOJC members, pakinggan din natin ang heartbeat ng mga victim survivors. Si alias Amanda, alias JR, alias Jackson at iba pa. Trafficked, sexually abused, forced to perform begging activities. Let us not allow them to be invisible,” said Hontiveros. 

(If we listen to the heartbeat of KOJC members, let's also listen to the heartbeat of victim survivors like Amanda, JR, Jackson, and others. They were trafficked, sexually abused, and forced to beg. Let's not allow them to be invisible.)

“Malinaw po ang posisyon ko noon pa man- ang kapulisan ay ‘di kailanman dapat gumamit ng labis na dahas sa anumang sitwasyon. Sa kabilang banda- hindi po sapat na rason ang relihiyon at paniniwala, para aktibong pigilan ang pagpapatupad ng batas natin,” she added.

(My stance has been clear from the start - the police should never use excessive force in any situation. On the other hand, religion and belief are not sufficient reasons to actively hinder the enforcement of our laws.)

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.

He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

Quiboloy has denied the accusations against him.

In July, Marcos Jr. told Quiboloy to show up and face the accusations thrown against him.—LDF, GMA Integrated News