Former President Rodrigo Duterte has assailed what he descirbed as 'excessive and unnecessary force' during the service of warrants against embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in Davao City.

In a statement, Duterte said the the use of ' excessive and unnecessary force' in a place of worship and within school premises is unacceptable.

The former president also said the police officers who carried the operation out are reportedly not from Davao City.

“Will they exhibit the same lack of self-restraint they have shown towards critics of this administration when dealing with their supporters?” Duterte said.

“How can this administration guarantee the preservation of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even the most fundamental of these rights are being trampled upon and blatantly violated?” Duterte added.

Duterte, who served as KOJC administrator, was instrumental in pacifying the angry followers of Quiboloy who, at first, tried to stop the authorities from entering the KOJC compound morning on Monday, June 10, 2024.

When tension erupted, a KOJC lawyer called up Duterte on the phone and the latter was heard all over the compound through a speaker.

“Pasudla lang na ang mga pulis. Istoryahi pud ang mga abogado ni Pastor, mag-istorya sila, pagkahuman ang akong tambag kay naa may warrant against kay Pastor, mo-surrender na lang siya peacefully,” Duterte was heard saying.

Police subsequently served the arrest warrants for child abuse, sexual abuse, and alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act but Quiboloy and his five co-accused were nowhere to be found at the compound.