Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla 鈥� Photo from SENATE PRIB
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The temporary protection order (TPO) granted to Apollo Quiboloy鈥檚 Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) 鈥渃an鈥檛 prevail鈥� over the warrant of arrest issued against him.
This statement comes from Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla when the issue was raised at a Senate budget hearing on Wednesday.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a valid police operation to serve an arrest warrant issued by the proper court and it has happened already, Ma鈥檃m,鈥� he said, responding to Sen. Risa Hontiveros鈥� questions during the hearing.
鈥淚 think that the rule of law will not be respected by people unless we鈥檙e able to show that we will not let go of people, even (no matter) how high the stature may be and we intend to really carry this out to the end,鈥� Remulla explained.
The TPO was issued聽 by a Davao court on Tuesday following a standoff between聽 Quiboloy鈥檚 supporters and local police, who raided the KJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City last Saturday.
Around 2,000 cops reportedly swept the compound in an attempt to arrest Quiboloy聽 and others accused of child abuse and human trafficking.
Quiboloy is facing three warrants of arrest 鈥� two from Davao and Pasig City courts聽 and one from the Senate 鈥� all in connection with the alleged crimes lodged against the sect leader.
With the court order against the police, Hontiveros asked the DOJ how the government would proceed with the arrest of Quiboloy.
鈥淢a鈥檃m, the writ of amparo filed against the police can鈥檛 prevail over a lawful order聽 of the court that directs them to arrest the person and it鈥檚 the same court level that issued it,鈥� Remulla pointed out.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we are not really about to raise our hands and surrender to their court in that manner. So, we鈥檙e continuing the arrest efforts,鈥� he further said.
A writ of amparo is a legal remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security has been violated or threatened.
In the case of Quiboloy, the writ of amparo was filed by KJC and Jose Maria College Foundation Inc. (JMCFI) against Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and the Philippine National Police.