(First of 2 parts)
“Sara Duterte’s sudden advocacy for the rights of KOJC members might be seen as an opportunistic, a calculated, move to solidify her base in Mindanao and undermine Marcos’ authority”
THE Aug. 25, 2024, raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City wasn’t just another police operation.
It was a full-scale assault, a spectacle of 2,000 officers descending upon a 30-hectare compound, their target: Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, accused of heinous crimes.
The raid, a dramatic clash between law and faith, instantly sparked a firestorm of controversy, with Vice President Sara Duterte leading the chorus of criticism.
The shadow of rivalry
The raid on KOJC cannot be divorced from the broader political context, particularly the escalating rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte camps.
This raid marks another chapter in the political chess game that has defined the post-Duterte era.
Quiboloy, a long-time ally and spiritual advisor to former President Rodrigo Duterte, had provided a significant support base for Duterte’s political machinery.
His influence, both spiritual and political, extends deep into Davao, a stronghold of the Duterte family.
For years, Quiboloy’s relationship with the Dutertes granted him a kind of untouchable status, allowing him to operate his religious empire with little interference.
However, the Marcos administration, inheriting a delicate balance of power from the Dutertes, has been increasingly assertive in its efforts to distance itself from the remnants of the Duterte regime, a move aimed at consolidating its authority.
The raid on Quiboloy’s compound, therefore, can be seen as more than just a law enforcement action—it is a calculated political maneuver designed to weaken the Duterte bloc and undermine its influence.
Sara Duterte’s criticisms
Sara Duterte’s vehement condemnation of the raid is as much a defense of her family’s legacy as it is an ethical stance.
Her criticisms hinge on three main arguments: the alleged abuse of police power, the violation of Constitutionally protected rights, and the excessive use of force.
From an ethical perspective, Sara Duterte’s concerns are not without merit.
The Constitution enshrines the rights of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures, and any operation that results in the death of an individual and injuries to others must be scrutinized to ensure it was conducted within the bounds of the law.
The death of a 51-year-old KOJC member from a heart attack and the injuries sustained by 18 others during the raid raise serious questions about the proportionality of the force used by the police.
(Editor’s Note: The Police Regional Office XI extended their condolences, but reiterated their operations had nothing to do with the death, saying the death incident. is not related to the ongoing implementation of the warrant of arrest.)
Legally, Duterte’s accusations of a “betrayal of public trust” may resonate with those who view the police action as overreach.
The use of ground-penetrating radar and the massive police presence could be perceived as excessive, especially if Quiboloy’s camp’s claims of irregularities in the raid are substantiated.
The legal underpinnings of the operation—rooted in the enforcement of arrest warrants for grave crimes—must be weighed against the potential violations of civil liberties.
However, critics argue that Duterte’s stance is hypocritical.
During her father’s presidency, the same police force was frequently accused of human rights violations under the guise of the war on drugs—a campaign she staunchly defended.
Her sudden advocacy for the rights of KOJC members might be seen as an opportunistic, a calculated, move to solidify her base in Mindanao and undermine Marcos’ authority.
