THE Philippine National Police leadership yestetday called on Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, his co-accused in a child sex abuse and trafficking case, and their defenders including lawmakers to please respect the law too as what they have been preaching in the aftermath of the raids on the self-proclaimed Son of God’s enclaves in Davao City last Mondaty.

“Yung mga nagsasabing sumunod tayo sa batas, they must be reminded too na dapat po tayong sumunod din sa batas, respect the law, respect our court process,” said PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean S. Fajardo.

The official said policemen who were accused by Quiboloy’s camp and avid supporters were armed with warrants of arrest issued against Quiboiloy and his co-accused when they stormed three compounds belonging to the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

“Me warrant of arrest po silang dala at hindi po puwedeng yung application ng batas ay kikilalanin natin kung pabor lang sa atin,” the lawyer-official said. “Sana po ay humarap sila sa korte, present evidence to disprove the charges against them kasi yun po ang essence ng justice.”

Col. Fajardo called on Quiboloy and his co-accused to face the criminal charges filed against them.

“Wala po tayong paghuhusga dito. Me korte na titimbang kung me basis ang kaso and we will respect that kaya dapat din respetuhin ang batas sa parte ni Mr. Quiboloy and the other accused,” he said.

The PNP spokesperson said that PNP Director for Operations Major General Ronald Lee, who was involved during the planning of the service of the arrest warrants and the deployment of troops in the city, was administratively relieved to pave the way for an investigation into the matters raised by Quiboloy’s supporters led by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Apart from Maj. Gen. Lee, Police Regional Office 11 director Brigadier Gen. Aligre L. Martinez and PNP Intelligence Group director Colonel Edwin DL Portento were relieved from their posts as a result of last Monday’s operation.

Erstwhile PNP Director for Plans Brig. Gen. Nicolas S. Salvador was designated as new PNP-DO while his classmate, Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre was named as the acting PRO11 director vice Aligre. Torre used to be the director of the PNP Communications and Electronics Service.

Col. Fajardo said that nine other personnel from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, one from the local Traffic Enforcement Unit and two from the PNP Special Action Force were also relieved administratively as a result of last Monday’s operation.

The official however maintained that last Monday’s incident won’t affect the ongoing manhunt operation against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

“This is the reason why we are appealing to Pastor Quiboloy to face the charges against him. Wala pong naging mali sa pagseserve ng warrant. What we are looking here are the possible lapses sa service of warrant in terms of supervision,” he said.

Col. Fajardo said that although he is not privy to recent talk between PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and Brig. Gen. Torre, she is sure that the top cop has given the precise orders on the latter.

“Ang laging sinasabi ni Chief PNP eh if you’re given a task whether small or big, magtrabaho ka lang ng tama,” she said.

She also explained that just like in other similar operations in the past, arresting a fugitive from justice like Quiboloy is ‘very challenging.”

“Hindi lang po sa kaso ni Pastor Quiboloy pero ang isang tao na ayaw magpahuli, lalo na yung mga high-profile suspects na me intention na magtago sa batas, definitely challenging sa law enforcement agency considering the resources needed, recognize high-profile subject,” she said.

Col. Fajardo said that on Thursday, police filed charges for obstruction of justice, disobedience to a person of an agent in authority and violation of Batas Pampansa 6 or illegal possession of bladed/deadly weapons against six Quiboloy supporters who meddled with the operation.

The accused were released after posting bail.

Col. Fajardo also welcomed any investigation that will be conducted by different bodies including the Senate in connection with the Davao City raids saying it will give the PNP the opportunity to answer all allegations against them

Senator Robin Padilla, who had opposed moves by his fellows to cite Quiboloy for contempt for repeatedly snubbing a Senate inquiry, said he wants the raids investigated.

Col. Fajardo said as far as they are concerned, police exercised maximum tolerance in dealing with Quiboloy’s supporters last Monday. She emphasized that the concept of maximum tolerance is not only limited in the conduct of rallies and protest actions.

It also involves officers reminding their men to maintain calm and exercise restraint always when dealing with unruly persons just like those who came to defend Quiboloy.

She said while several policemen were also hurt during the operation, supporters of Quiboloy are now claiming ‘overkill’ when the police served a valid court order in the city.

“The PNP stands by its position that officers only implemented a warrant of arrest validly issued by the court. However, our officers already anticipated the situation like resistance from Quiboloy’s supporters,” she said.

The official added that the raid was grounded on the fact that officers received information regarding Quiboloy prior to the raid. However, officers were relieved as part of the investigation aimed at determining if there were negligence or even failure of intelligence in the area committed by the police.