Probe on use of ‘excessive force’ in KOJC compound raid sought

SEN. Robin Padilla yesterday asked the Committee on Public Order to determine if police operatives exerted “unnecessary and excessive force” when they entered the premises of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City to serve arrest warrants issued against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy last June 10.

“There is a need for the PNP to promote and protect human rights because these very acts are vital to the maintenance of public order, guarantee of public safety, and respect for the rule of law,” Padilla said in filing Senate Resolution No. 1051.

“Records bear several instances in the past when the PNP was called out for its use of excessive force in the service of warrants,” he added.

More than 100 operatives from the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided the KOJC college and the Prayer and Glory Mountains inside the religious group’s compound last June 10 to serve the arrest warrants issued by the Davao and Pasig courts for child abuse and human trafficking charges against Quiboloy.

The pastor was not found anywhere in the compound.

The KOJC “strongly denounced” the operation, saying that some of its members were allegedly hurt when cops attempted to enter the compound. KOJC members also claimed heavily-armed operatives entered the compound using “unnecessary and unrestrained force.”

Former president Duterte, who was designated administrator of the KOJC, said the operation was a clear violation of the law as it was an overkill. The same sentiment was echoed by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

The PNP said the raid was a “lawful operation” with strict compliance to legal security protocols and with due respect to all parties.

Padilla said Article II Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution “imposes upon the Government the primary duty to serve and protect the people” while Article II Section 11 of the Constitution “is a recognition of the State’s high regard to the dignity of every person with a guarantee of full respect for human rights.”

He said the PNP adopted a Human Rights-Based Policing (HRBP) policy, which stresses that “the first level of human rights obligations is to respect human rights