MAYOR Sebastian Duterte, on Friday, stated that the ongoing police operation inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound needs clarification, as it has been ongoing for two weeks.
“I see that a lot has happened because it’s been two weeks already. I think today or yesterday, when the senators arrived, first of all, I thank Senator Bato Dela Rosa and Senator Padilla from the Senate Committee on Peace and Order for giving attention to the situation here in Davao City,” he said.
“Like I said, this has been going on for a while, for about two weeks now, and there are many sides to the story. The KOJC has its side, and the PNP has its side. What’s important here is that we hear both sides. We can’t just have one side of the story. We can’t only have the KOJC’s story, nor can we only have the PNP’s story. It’s important to listen to both sides, see the evidence, so we can know the truth.”
“This isn’t just for the people of Davao. As I said in my opening statement earlier, there is a need for clarification because we are talking about an agency that is built to protect the people. We are talking about policemen.”
During the Senate hearing, Duterte asked the police, “I just want to ask the PNP, did you use tear gas? And were you armed when you entered the premises of the KOJC?”
“Mr. Chair, this does not need to be answered right now. I leave the question to the floor. Again, thank you, KOJC. Thank you, PNP, and everyone who is here,” the mayor said.
But Senator Ronald Dela Rosa interjected, “Before you leave, mayor, I can get the answer. General Torre, were you armed when you entered the compound of KOJC?”
Police Regional Office XI director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III answered, “Yes, Sir. We have personnel that have firearms as part of the security, as per standard operating procedure.”
Dela Rosa said, “Correct, you can’t deny that because all the videos around the internet show that you are armed. How about tear gas?”
Torre then answered, “Definitely not, Sir, because we don’t have gas masks. If we use tear gas, we must prepare for gas masks,” he added.
The mayor then said, “Thank you, Mr. Chair.”
Dela Rosa then agreed with Torre that the police cannot use tear gas if they don’t have masks. “You would be affected. So you stand by your word that it was for the extinguisher?”
Torre then answered that he would show it in their presentation. “Many fire extinguishers were used, Sir, not just one.”
When asked about the city’s intervention, the mayor said, “Whatever we can provide in our response through medical assistance from 911, CDRRMO (City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office), if there are injuries, and unfortunately, there was a casualty, it can’t be avoided in such a large operation.”
“I have talked to some KOJC [members] who said they were traumatized, but the city is ready for that,” he added.
The mayor also said, “We have professionals to attend to their needs.”
“I can only suggest that the orders come from Camp Crame, which is headed by Chief PNP Azurin or the President.”
When asked about the lack of coordination with the city, the mayor answered that the PNP had no coordination with the city government regarding the operation.
“They did not conduct any coordination for the operation,” he said.
Duterte had earlier left the hearing as he had other things to attend to.
