Former President Rodrigo Duterte denounced the police operation targeting the controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In a statement on Monday evening, Duterte condemned “the excessive and unnecessary force” used in serving the arrest warrant for his friend by police officers “who are not even from Davao City.”

“This incident occurred within a place of worship and on school premises, which is absolutely unacceptable.” Duterte said.

The former president also referred to Quiboloy’s arrest as “overkill” and said it was a hallmark of the current administration’s approach to dealing with those who are only charged with a crime “without having been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” showing “lack of self-restraint” towards critics.

Meanwhile, Lorraine Badoy, a commentator for Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) and former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson, also condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for reportedly “ordering” Quiboloy’s detention.

“Bongbong Marcos has lost all moral ascendancy to lead us because he himself has become the destroyer of our people and our democracy,” Badoy said in a statement.

Quiboloy serves as an honorary chairman of SMNI.

The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday went to a property held by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) to execute the arrest warrant against the group’s head, Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.

The pastor is facing child abuse and sexual abuse cases in addition to warrants for his arrest for qualified human trafficking cases filed against him and five others at a Pasig City court. Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for Police Regional Office 11, said that troops from various units, including the Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, entered the pastor’s compound in Buhangin district, Davao City at 4 a.m. on Monday.

The police also broke into Quiboloy’s estates on Glory Mountain and Prayer Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, in addition to the KJC compound, which is home to the Jose Maria College and KJC KingDome in Buhangin district. However, the pastor was not found at any of his properties.

Quiboloy is facing charges for allegedly violating Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and Section 10(a) of the same law before a Davao court.  

In addition, Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable offense of Qualified Human Trafficking under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended before a Pasig City court.

Both the Davao and Pasig courts have issued arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-respondents.

According to Maj. dela Rey, the action was not a raid, but rather the execution of an arrest warrant for the controversial pastor.

“This latest actions of law enforcement officers underscores their commitment to uphold the rule of law,” dela Rey said.

📷 Rody Duterte FB