The Department of Justice (DOJ) has spoken out on the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) issued by the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 over police operations handling the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church.
The department said it “rallies” behind the Philippine National Police (PNP) as they abide by the law in serving KOJC head and fugitive Apollo Quiboloy and his associates arrest warrants.
“First and foremost, the police operations are within the bounds of law by virtue of a legal order from a co-equal court,” their press statement reads. “In addition, a request for transfer of venue has already been sought by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).”
The DOJ also pointed out that access to the compound was not barred, and so the barriers in place only served to aid in the operations by increasing security without “prevent[ing] the flow of basic human needs” of the KOJC body.
“As much as the DOJ respects the Court’s prerogative, the Department, nonetheless, believes the TPO is already moot and academic considering the issues underscored therein have all been addressed,” the DOJ stated.
“The DOJ stands in solidarity with the PNP in upholding the rule of law and in this quest for justice,” they added.
The Writ of amparo was also addressed. The DOJ clarified that this remedy was only for subjects needing “the protection against deprivation of life, liberty, or property resulting from unlawful acts or omissions of public officials.” Such is not the case with the KOJC however, and the DOJ felt it crucial to stress the legitimacy of the PNP’s actions.
In short, they declared that invoking a writ of amparo is inapplicable, as there were no unlawful acts necessitating protection against.
The Davao court issued the TPO in favor of Quiboloy on August 27, which entailed a halt on any act or omission which jeopardizes the life, freedoms, security, along with the properties of petitioners. This included the removal of all barriers, which supposedly impede on church members’ practices and rights.
