Police use ground-penetrating radars, dogs
POLICEMEN yesterday continued to conduct a “thorough search,” using ground-penetrating radars and dogs, of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City which they first raided last Saturday to serve warrants of arrest against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused who are wanted for child abuse and human trafficking.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said policemen will continue to search the compound until they get Quiboloy.
“As long we are not able to serve the warrant of arrest and we are certain that the person is inside, then we have legal ground to stay longer, especially right now that we unearthed more cases of human trafficking against these people,” said Marbil.
He stressed: “We have legal orders, its coming from the court involving a non-bailable offense. That is the reason we are here: to implement the law.”
Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, director of the Davao police regional office, said they observed some “suspicious locations” at the KOJC compound last Saturday but since it was already nighttime, they had to delay their search until Sunday.
Torre said they have information that there are underground tunnels and ground compartments in the area where Quiboloy and the other accused may be hiding but “we ran out of time (last Saturday) so we suspended the search to allow people to rest.”
“We’re now on phase 2 (of the search). We’re utilizing our equipment — our ground penetrating radars… We are continuing with the search for him [Quiboloy], using the equipment that we brought in. We have our ground-penetrating radar,” said Torre.
Ground-penetrating radars, he explained, are usually used in locating people trapped in collapsed structures.
“There is a big possibility we will find him. Maybe Pastor Quiboloy will have the (common) sense to surrender because it just a matter of time (before we’ll get him). He will just punish himself if he continues hiding in his bunker,” said Torre.
Over 2,000 policemen swooped down at the 30-hectare KOJC compound last Saturday morning, meeting resistance from the group’s supporters who claimed that their leader is being persecuted by the government.
There were still no signs of Quiboloy and the five other group members who are also facing criminal charges when the search was suspended in the evening.
Torre said in a radio interview: “As of now (Sunday), the search has resumed… Actually, we already scanned the area but the thorough search using our equipment, we have yet to finish it. We are searching the areas using our technology, the ground-penetrating radars.”
He said police are also using trained dogs to help in the search.
“We are also using our dogs, let’s see if they can be tracked by our sniffing dogs,” Torre said.
‘INSIDE THE COMPOUND’
Torre maintained that Quiboloy and his co-accused are still inside the compound, and are being guarded by his supporters.
“He is there according to our informants,” he said, adding that searching the compound is a big challenge on their part because there are many buildings inside, with many entry and exit points.
“He is inside, watching and observing inside his hiding area. He is being guarded by his supporters. It’s unfortunate. If they want rule of law, they should submit themselves to the rule of law, to the order of the court,” he said.
Davao police regional office spokesperson Maj. Catherine Dela Rey said they have credible information that Quiboloy is “being transferred from one place to another inside the KJOC.
“The KOJC compound is vast. We’re having difficulty in conducting the search, but we are positive that Quiboloy is inside the KJOC compound,” said Dela Rey, adding: “That is why, we are continuing with the search as of today and hopefully we can get him within the day.”
Dela Rey said there is a big possibility that followers of Quiboloy will spring out their leader from the compound, as she explained why checkpoints have been up by the PNP.
“One of the actions we’ve taken is the establishment of checkpoints,” she said.
She added that the police have prevented group members from entering the compound, saying they may aid in the possible escape of Quiboloy.
However, Dela Rey said members who are inside the compound are free to leave. “What we are not allowing is the entry of KOJC members because, who knows, they may aid in the escape (of Quiboloy). The PNP has strategies (how to prevent the escape), which we need not elaborate,” she said.
MAXIMUM TOLERANCE
In a statement, the PNP Public Information Office said 2,375 police officers were deployed to implement the arrest warrants.
Torre said KJOC officials gave the green light for policemen to search the compound, but many KOJC members resisted the search.
“Despite initial resistance, the warrant was served following legal protocols,” it said, with PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo adding: “We urge the public to recognize that this legitimate operation was conducted in strict adherence to legal protocols and PNP operational procedures.”
Torre said a policeman suffered injury in the hand, requiring 14 stiches, after KJOC members deployed a backhoe to block PNP members from entering and searching the compound.
Another KJOC member, Torre said, fired a fire extinguisher on a group of policemen. He said they are in the process of identifying the man for the filing of charges of direct assault and obstruction of justice.
Torre said the PNP have basis to arrest some KJOC members but did not do so because “we’re exercising maximum tolerance. We’re not going to make arrests unless our policemen sustain serious injury.”
Marbil said his instruction to the policemen involved in the operation was to observe human rights.
“I just want to make it clear. This is our guidance: We have to follow human rights,” Marbil said.
On the possible conduct of a Senate inquiry on the operation, Marbil said the PNP is ready to face any investigation.
“We are not hiding anything. What we are saying is we are just doing police work, that is really to serve the warrant of arrest against these people,” he said.
Marbil said police rescued two victims of human trafficking during the raid of the compound.
One of the victims, a 21-year-old male from Samar, was promised with education but the promise was not fulfilled.
Marbil said the victim wanted to return to Samar but was not given the opportunity to go home.
The second victim, police said, was a mother from Cotabato who was recruited to join the religious group, and subsequently prevented from going back to her province.
“It’s a new case of human trafficking,” the police chief said.
Torre also justified the deployment of the large force to serve the arrest warrant, which critics have said was an overkill.
“This is not overkill. I think it’s not even enough because the truth is, their job is not only to search. They also have to guard those (KJOC members) who are causing trouble. They also have to secure the perimeter,” he said.
Dela Rey dismissed information peddled by KOJC followers that seven of their members died and 16 others were hurt in the operation.
She said only one KOJC member died during the Saturday incident. The death, she said, was not directly related to the operation as the member supposedly suffered a heart attack while manning one of the compound’s watch towers and policemen did not have any encounter or confrontation with him.
“We hope they would stop spreading fake news and misleading information to create chaos and gain sympathy. We hope they’ll understand that we’re just doing our job,” said Dela Rey, as she urged the group’s members to surrender the religious leader so court proceedings can proceed.
RULE OF LAW
“The (KJOC) members are saying during our search that Pastor Quiboloy is not guilty. We not here to judge if Quiboloy is guilty or not guilty. We are here to serve the warrant of arrest, bring him to the court and to the judge who will decide if he is guilty or not,” Dela Rey said.
Fajardo said the public should understand that the ongoing operation is not aimed at the entire religious group.
“It’s not meant to curtail religious freedom. The PNP is just performing its mandate to implement the arrest warrant issued by the court,” said Fajardo.
“We urge Pastor Quiboloy and his co-accused to surrender peacefully to prevent any further escalation. Their security and safety will be fully ensured. We also call upon all supporters to cooperate with law enforcement to promote the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” she said.
Fajardo said the PNP remains committed in finding and arresting the pastor and his co-accused.
“There is really an attempt to delay the movement of the PNP personnel who were tasked to search the area where we believe Pastor Quiboloy and the four others are hiding,” she said.
She said Quiboloy should surrender and “exercise moral high ground to face his accuser in the proper forum.”
Ask when the search will end, Fajardo said: “We did not set any deadline… We are not going to stop the search until we complete the search, inspection of the vast KJOC compound.”
“Our intention is to arrest him and bring to the jurisdiction of the court,” she added.
Marbil urged the “backers and influential supporters” of Quiboloy “to exemplify true leadership by advising Mr. Quiboloy to adhere to the rule of law and to address the accusations against him through the proper legal channels.”
“As a nation, we are all bound by the rule of law, and we must uphold these principles without exception. This matter transcends legal obligations; it serves as a testament to the principle that no one is above the law,” said Marbil.
“Quiboloy’s political backers and benefactors understand well that obstruction of justice and harboring a fugitive or being complicit in such actions are serious offenses. Their support must underscore the necessity for clarity and responsibility in this situation,” he said.
He likewise urged members of the group not to allow themselves to be used to violate the law.
“The law applies equally to all, and any attempt to evade justice undermines the very foundation of our society. I encourage KOJC members to act by their faith and to refrain from allowing themselves to be used in ways that contravene the rule of law,” said Marbil.
He said the PNP “remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the law fairly and justly, ensuring that justice is served for all.”
CHR
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the PNP to ensure the safety of people during the ongoing search for Quiboloy at the KOJC compound.
In a statement, the commission also asked KOJC members to respect the lawmen who are serving the arrest warrants against the religious leader.
“The CHR sternly reminds all parties involved to ensure that due process, as guaranteed by our Constitution, prevails and that everyone allows the judicial process to run its course,” the CHR said.
The body reminded the PNP to “exercise maximum tolerance and to ensure the safety of everyone, especially the children.”
“The CHR stresses that no violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest, in accordance with the law,” it said, adding: “The Commission reiterates to the members of KOJC the importance of respecting state forces, allowing them to carry out their duty, and refraining from any actions that may escalate tensions or obstruct the legal process.”
The CHR said it has received reports that a prober from the CHR-Davao region was harassed by KOJC members. It did not provide additional details of the alleged harassment.
“The CHR reminds the supporters of Pastor Quiboloy to refrain from harassing civilians who are simply performing their duties. This reminder follows reports that a special investigator from CHR Region XI (Davao region) was threatened and harassed by some KOJC members,” it said.
It emphasized that the rule of law “must prevail to ensure that everyone’s rights are upheld and protected.”
“The CHR calls on all involved to remain calm and cooperate fully with the legal proceedings, in the interest of justice and peace,” it added.
