Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the “gross abuse of police power” during a large-scale operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound.
The KOJC raid was launched early Saturday morning in Davao City for the arrest of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy and led to the death of one KOJC member who suffered a heart attack during the operation.
Duterte made it clear that she was not against the issued warrant of arrest but with the use of violence during the raid where religious worshipers were also harassed and minors were abused.
“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. I can’t help but ask myself if the use of unnecessary force and unjust abuse to ordinary Filipinos, in order to implement the warrant of arrest, is prompted by the accused being a Duterte-supporter?” she remarked.
“I would like to ask for the forgiveness of all members and devotees of KOJC for persuading and appealing to you to vote for BongBong Marcos Jr. in 2022. I hope you can forgive me. You deserve better. Filipinos deserve better.”
Meanwhile, former President Rodrigo Duterte also released an official statement calling on “the remaining decent and patriotic members of our government” to stand against enforcing illegal orders.
“We call on all Filipinos, regardless of political persuasion, to offer prayers for peace and justice, and to spare our people of 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,” he said.
He also challenged the administration on its ability to preserve the constitutional rights of Filipinos when they are “being blatantly violated.”
“Rights have been trampled upon and our laws, derided,” he stated.
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