KOJC gets temporary protection order; PNP search continues

The Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 15 yesterday issued a temporary protection order directing the Philippine National Police (PNP) 11 to "cease and desist any act that threatens the life, liberty and security" of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members.

- DIANA LHYD SUELTO

The court order was issued four days after 2,000 PNP personnel raided the KOJC compound to serve arrest warrants on its leader Apollo Quiboloy and five of his co-accused.

Judge Mario Duaves ordered the PNP to "remove all forms of barricades, barriers or blockades that bar the access to and from the subject compound and hinder petitioners' religious, academic and proprietary rights." The Supreme Court said yesterday that a TPO does not deter the service of the arrest warrants. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also said the police search for Quiboloy inside the KOJC compound would continue.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 chief Nicolas Torre III said the PNP would file a motion seeking clarification on the temporary protection order. Torre said the TPO is not an order for the PNP to leave the KOJC compound-a view that KOJC lawyer Israelito Torreon challenged.

Despite the order, Torre said that the police will not leave the compound and that they will continue their search for Quiboloy, who they believe to be hiding in a bunker within the 30-hectare compound.

Torreon, for his part, said that Torre's declarations are contrary to the letter of the order and vowed to continue to fight it out in court.

"Your overwhelming presence there threatens the sense of security of the members there who are unarmed," he said, adding that they will file a manifestation in court tomorrow.