AT least seven policemen on Sunday night were wounded by die-hard members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) protesting their operation to get fugitive Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, officials said yesterday.

Six of the officers were transported to the Camp Quintin M. Merecido Hospital for treatment while another was treated at the KOJC rally site.

The officers suffered body injuries after being struck by wooden clubs in the head, neck, cheekbone, foot and knee by the KOJC members, said Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean S. Fajardo.

The official said that the Police Regional Office 11 also moved to disperse the barricade put up by KOJC members at the highway leading to the Davao City International Airport, causing huge traffic jams in the area.

“There is an ongoing negotiation for the peaceful dispersal of the KOJC members and the removal of the barricades, including heavy equipment and motor vehicles they placed in the highway. Hindi na talaga madaanan and may deadline sa kanila to remove,” Fajardo said.

“We expect they will be dispersed anytime and definitely may kasong haharapin ang mga leader nila. As you see, they disrupted the movement in the highway, it’s not the police,” she added.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil is currently in Davao City supervising and monitoring all operations of the Police Regional Office 11 headed by Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III to get Quiboloy and his co-accused.

“May sign of life sa underground and we believe na nandiyan po sila (Quiboloy et al). But one of the challenges on the ground is that our operations are being impeded by the KOJC members. Grabe resistance nila lalo na pag lumapit ang pulis sa lugar na pinpointed na posibleng pinagtataguan ng mga akusado,” Fajardo said.

The PNP spokesperson said that the KOJC members have also put up barbed wires and even live wires in the area. “Bakit kailangang gawin ito? Nagpapatunog din sila ng sirena obviously to call the attention ng mga nasa loob ng compound para maghanda,” she lamented.

Fajardo said that Gen. Marbil’s instruction is for the ground troops to maintain their vigilance and exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters.

Marbil said he wants Quiboloy arrested as soon as possible knowing that policemen involved in the operation have little rest or sleep during the past three days.

The PNP spokesperson said they have also monitored reports that some KOJC members are being hurt by their fellows with the real intention of putting the blame on the police force.

Fajardo said that a policeman who was caught on video using a pepper spray has been disarmed and placed under administrative investigation following a complaint from the KOJC.

“Pero wala po sa option ‘yung paggamit ng teargas. Disinformation po lahat ‘yan at alam naman po natin na ‘pag gumamit ka ng teargas, kawawa pati mga pulis na walang gas masks,” she explained.

2 TRAFFICKING VICTIMS RESCUED IN RAID AT KOJC COMPOUND

A MEMBER of the Young Guns of the House of Representatives yesterday expressed alarm over the rescue of two alleged victims of human trafficking during a police raid at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound amid suspicions that the group might be harboring criminals and keeping more victims.

Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario has asked the police to thoroughly investigate the cases of the two victims of human trafficking and see if other people are being held against their will or if there are other related concerns allegedly happening within the confines of the KOJC compound.

“We are alarmed at the fact then when a valid warrant of arrest for Apollo Quiboloy was enforced at the KOJC compound, they found alleged victims of human trafficking.

This is a clear-cut sign that there is irrefutable basis for the accusations being brought forth against him. Ibig bang sabihin nito na patuloy na nangyayari ang krimen na ibinibintang kay Mr. Quiboloy?” Almario asked as he sought a congressional investigation into the matter.

Law enforcement operatives raided the KOJC compound on August 24 to serve a warrant for Quiboloy, who is facing charges for violation of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Quiboloy was also charged with a non-bailable offense of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended.

Almario encouraged Quiboloy and those harboring him to surrender to authorities and face the charges filed against him.

“Itong sinasabing bagong trafficking victims umano, sinu-sino na ang mga kakasuhan dito? The police should quickly make the case against the two individuals’ captors, kung ito ba ay sa utos pa rin ng mga masterminds na kinasuhan na o may bagong mga utak sa likod nito,” he inquired.

“I feel for the family of the victims and the victims themselves. Mahirap mawalay sa pamilya na hindi sigurado kung makakauwi pa ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Kaya dapat maparusahan ang responsable sa krimeng ito. Hindi lang dapat ulo ang hinanap natin. There are accomplices in this crime, and it is the PNP’s duty to uncover all involved. Baka may mga empleyado or kaya mga management officials or administrators na may alam o kaya ay kasama sa paggawa ng mga krimeng ito? Kailangan maiging tingnan ito ng PNP,” Almario added. By Alfred Dalizon and Jester Manalastas

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon