Abalos, PNP: No overkill on Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — Stressing that police officers followed standard operating procedures, the Philippine National Police is pushing back against former president Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of “overkill” when authorities served arrest warrants against pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his five associates.

Police did not use excessive force when they raided Quiboloy’s Davao properties on Monday in search of the evangelist who is wanted for human trafficking and child abuse, the PNP said.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, whose department has jurisdiction over the PNP, also said the raid was properly planned and the operation prioritized everyone’s safety.

Raiding teams of the Special Action Force, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and other police units swooped down on Quiboloy’s three properties: the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Buhangin district, the 25-hectare Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong and the adjacent 50-hectare Prayer Mountain.

Quiboloy’s high-profile nature and his thousands of followers prompted the PNP to deploy hundreds of police officers for the operation to prevent violence from erupting.

“Before the operation, the PNP coordinated closely with local officials to ensure a peaceful and orderly execution, minimizing any potential disruptions to the community,” the PNP said.

PNP chief publicist Col. Jean Fajardo said they will not file criminal complaints against Quiboloy’s supporters, who were caught on video using a water cannon against the police.

Six Quiboloy followers who attempted to attack the police with bolos at Glory Mountain were brought to a police station for investigation but were eventually released, Fajardo said.

Fajardo appealed to Quiboloy and his co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Sylvia Cemanes, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada and Paulene Canada to surrender and face the court. – Romina Cabrera