DOJ's Remulla: We won't quit in serving arrest warrant vs Quiboloy

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said that authorities will continue efforts to serve the arrest warrant against fugitive and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy despite the temporary protection order issued by a Davao court.

"The writ of amparo cannot...that was filed against the police cannot prevail over a lawful order of the court that directs them to arrest the person. And it's the same court level that we have. That's why we are not really about to raise our hands and surrender to the court in that manner. So we are continuing the arrest efforts," Remulla said during a Senate hearing on the Department of Justice's proposed P40.585 billion budget for 2025.

According to Remulla, the court order was already "moot and academic" after he was asked if the KOJC's invocation of writ of amparo and the arrest warrant being served by the law enforcers are not mutually exclusive.

According to the Supreme Court website, the petition for a writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.

Remulla maintained that the police operation by the PNP in the KOJC properties is "valid."

"It's a valid police operation to serve an arrest warrant issued by the proper court. And it has to happen already. I think that the rule of law will not be respected by people unless we are able to show that we will not let go of people even how high their stature may be. And we intend to really carry this out to the end," he said.

On Tuesday, the Davao RTC Branch 15 issued a temporary protection order (TPO) in favor of the KOJC, directing the PNP to cease actions that threaten the safety and security of KOJC members.

The court also ordered the PNP to “remove all forms of barricades, barriers or blockades that bar the access to and from the subject compound.”

DILG: Cops not leaving

But the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the Davao court's order does not direct the police to leave the KOJC premises where Quiboloy and several others are believed to be hiding.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said the police will not leave the KOJC compound and will continue to hunt for Quiboloy despite the order.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang aming pag-ano dyan, gagawin namin 'yun, hahanapin talaga 'yan. Hindi kami aalis diyan [We will continue to look for him. We will not leave.],” Abalos told reporters in a phone interview.

The DILG head said they will file a clarification with the court regarding the order, noting that it did not instruct them to stop the police operation.

The order came amid ongoing tensions between the KOJC and the PNP as the latter attempted to serve the arrest warrants against Quiboloy.

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

Earlier today, the KOJC asked the Davao court to issue a show-cause order against some government officials.

The KOJC filed a manifestation with a motion to issue a show cause order on why the respondents should not be held in contempt before the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15.

The respondents were Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and the Philippine National Police (PNP), represented by Police General Rommel Marbil. —RF, GMA Integrated News