Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte made a fiery statement on Thursday, branding June 10, 2024, as a day of infamy for members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) church and all law-abiding citizens.

Duterte, who served as Davao City mayor for more than two decades, was referring to Monday’s dawn incident when heavily armed battalions of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided various KJC church compounds in Barangay Buhangin and Tamayong, Davao City; Glory Mountain in QSands Baptismal Resort, Samal Island; and Kitbog Compound, Malungon, Sarangani province ostensibly in a coordinated effort to serve warrants of arrest on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

“Except for the over-publicized arrest warrants, the raiders did not present any search warrant in all of the church properties raided by the law-enforcement agencies. This is a clear violation of the law. It was an overkill in any language,” he said.

“This act cannot go unpunished,” his statement read.

He expressed sadness, acknowledging his deep personal and historical ties to the police and Armed Forces of the Philippines. However, citing his duties as Administrator of Church Properties, he emphasized the necessity to take legal and appropriate measures.

“In line with this, I have ordered not only the preparation of affidavits of all members aggrieved and traumatized by the said unfortunate incident but also an inventory of church properties destroyed as a consequence,” he said.

He added: “It is incumbent not only upon the church but also upon officers of the law to take appropriate action considering that the said trespass was beamed by social media all over the world and thus sent the wrong signal that this country has become a police state with no respect for the law and religious institutions.”

In the wake of the controversial raid, he stressed the importance of seizing the current opportunity to rectify the serious infringements on basic rights. Through his support for legal solutions and redress outlined by law, he seeks to confront the consequences of illegal intervention and ensure the triumph of justice.

“It is unfortunate that the obsession of this administration to demonize Pastor Quiboloy even before he could be convicted by a court of law is a clear maneuver to divert attention from the deepening crisis spawned by corruption, incompetence, and abuse of authority,” Duterte said.

He added: “Let this be a warning and a lesson for all those who follow and implement illegal and unlawful orders that there are grave consequences for blind obedience.“

“Notwithstanding my personal convictions, the law must be upheld,” Duterte said, adding that he is constrained, with a heavy heart, to take action against all those responsible for the coordinated but illegal raid. 
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