Ex-president Duterte condemns 'excessive force' in serving arrest warrant vs Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte condemned the "excessive and unnecessary force" employed by the police in serving the warrant of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.In a statement released on Monday, Duterte said the incident, which occurred in a place of worship and on school premises, was "absolutely unacceptable.""I strongly condemn the use of excessive and unnecessary force in serving the warrant of arrest for Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by police officers who are not even from Davao City," Duterte said."Will this overkill be the trademark of this administration when dealing with individuals who are merely accused of committing a crime and have not been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt?" he added.The former president also criticized the Marcos administration for supposedly not protecting one's constitutional rights. "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?" he added.The Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group early on Monday went to a KOJC property in Davao City to serve the arrest warrant but left without Quiboloy. Quiboloy is facing non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges before a Pasig court and charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act before a Davao court. Quiboloy has denied the allegations.