15 cops sacked over failure to arrest Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — At least 15 police officers have been relieved for failing to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said yesterday.

“These officers were relieved not for their abuses but for their failure to arrest Quiboloy and his co-accused,” Marbil clarified during the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Of the 15 cops, 12 were non-commissioned police officers.

Marbil said he immediately directed the PNP Internal Affairs Service to conduct an impartial investigation to determine if any operational lapses or excessive force were committed during a police operation at Quiboloy’s compound in Davao in June.

He maintained that the police were simply doing their job in keeping with established procedures.

“It was a critical mission to execute a lawful warrant of arrest against the fugitives Quiboloy and five others in connection with non-bailable offenses of child abuse and qualified trafficking,” Marbil said.

He added the police operation was carried out with strict adherence to PNP operational procedures.

“Our guiding principle was to uphold human rights while executing our duties with the highest standards of professionalism and respect for the law,” Marbil said.

The PNP chief stated that members of KOJC chose to use women and children as human shields, obstructing and delaying the lawful actions of the police.

He also said that male members of the group were armed with bolos and other bladed weapons and engaged in violent confrontations with police officers.

At least six people and two minors were taken to the police station but were released the same day for humanitarian reasons, according to Marbil.

The apprehended individuals, however, face criminal charges for obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829. — Cecille Suerte Felipe