- Police admit unauthorized digging at JMC basement, sparking controversy
POLICE Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III admitted today that his team conducted unauthorized excavation activities within the JMC basement. He stated that the digging was initiated after a heartbeat was detected four meters below ground level.
Furthermore, Torre confessed to allowing civilians in police uniforms to enter the KOJC compound to assist with the excavation.
He acknowledged that no permits were secured for this operation.
Previously, Torre had refused to comment on the alleged digging. However, during a Senate hearing today, chaired by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, he confirmed the activity and stated that future excavations may also be necessary.
Citing Section 10 of Rule 113 of the Rules of Court, Torre said, “Officers may summon assistance. An officer making a lawful arrest may call upon as many persons as he deems necessary to assist him in effecting the arrest.”
Dela Rosa questioned, “So you summoned the services of these civilians just to effect the arrest of Pastor Quiboloy or to dig a tunnel…?”
Torre answered, “Because that is the way for us to break into the tunnel that we suspect Apollo Quiboloy is hiding inside.”
Dela Rosa then asked, “Don’t you think that’s an abuse? Considering the length of time, 13 days, where in the world did you effect the warrant of arrest? Staying inside the property?”
Torre said he would answer the question during his presentation later in the hearing.
KOJC legal counsel Atty. Dinah Tolentino said the police had violated Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code and that the use of a minor constituted child abuse.
Dela Rosa then asked Torre why they allowed the use of a minor.
“I believe that this time, no one established that it was a minor. Those are all indications. I can categorically say that maybe they just looked young,” Torre answered.
“For the record, you brought them in for the purpose of digging. Later, they might be used inside as victims of human trafficking,” Dela Rosa retorted.
Then Torre said, “Our target is below the ground. I believe that we need experts on this matter, especially on digging, because we want to ensure the safety of these people. The police are not trained for this.”
Dela Rosa then asked, “So with that explanation of yours, it is already presumed by the committee that you admit you really did digging below KOJC?”
Torre initially refused to answer, insisting he would give his presentation first.
But Dela Rosa angrily interrupted him and said, “I myself went there for the inspection earlier. We dug there, and the cement was very fresh, and when we removed the cement, the rebar placed there was not related to any construction, it was just picked up from somewhere. And then the soil is very loose. And that’s the material you discussed. And then you admit the digging below the basement of JMC?”
Torre then answered, “Yes, Sir.”
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa then asked for comments from those present regarding the summoning of civilians.
Interior and Local Government Usec. Lord Villanueva commented, “In this case, if there’s reasonable ground that indeed Pastor Quiboloy is hiding underground, then the rules of court allow the digging.”
He added, “This must be done at the very moment when the person to be arrested is believed to be found.”
As of this writing, PRO XI director Brig Gen Nicolas Torre III is reporting the presentation of the PRO XI’s Special Task Group Teknon Alpha on their operation against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and four others co-accused.
Photo courtesy of Rhoda Grace Saron
