The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to face a Senate probe into the operation to serve arrest warrants on controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy at his Davao City properties, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said.
In a radio interview, Fajardo said a probe would give the PNP the opportunity to air its side on the operation and show that the said operations were “valid.”
Earlier, Senator Robin Padilla hinted at an investigation into what he said could be human rights violations in the operations, which involved more than 100 police personnel, ABS-CBN News reported.
Reports said police entered Quiboloy’s property in Buhangin, Davao City, and the Prayer and Glory Mountains in Barangay Tamayong last June 3 but did not find the controversial preacher, who is facing abuse and trafficking cases in Davao City and Pasig City courts.
The operations reportedly caused tension between police and Quiboloy’s followers and have also prompted criticism from Quiboloy supporters, including former President Rodrigo Duterte, who called it “overkill.”
Police BGen. Aligre Martinez, Davao regional police director, and several other police personnel have been relieved from their posts following the operation.
Fajardo said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was the lead agency in the cases against Quiboloy but that the PNP will continue trying to serve the warrants.
The PNP spokesperson added that the operation was planned well to avoid increasing tension and to lower the risk of violence.
“Fortunately, although there was tension and resistance, there were no major injuries,” Fajardo, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said.
Fajardo said the PNP is always open to Quiboloy and others accused in the cases surrendering voluntarily. “That will give them the opportunity to face the accusations against them, and that is what we call the essence of due process. They will have the chance to answer these.”
Quiboloy, through his lawyers, has rejected the accusations, saying these were made by disgruntled former members of the KOJC.
