- City thumbs down police attempt to access KOJC building plans
THE OFFICE of the City Building Official (OCBO) nixed the Police Regional Office XI’s request for copies of the blueprint of the KOJC compound.
Meanwhile, as of this writing [Sept. 5], the PNP denied entry to officials from the Davao City Building Office and the Office of the City Legal Officer to inspect the JMCFI basement.
In an interview with reporters on Wednesday night, PRO XI director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed that their request, submitted on Aug. 29, was rejected by the OCBO on Aug. 30. The PRO XI received the official denial on Sept. 2.
On Aug. 29, Day 5 of the police operations, Torre sought the help of the city government’s Office of the City Building Official for a copy of the “Master Plans and Building Plans (architectural, electrical, structural, mechanical and sewerage and sanitary plans) on the various structures within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound/premises located in Davao City.”
Acting OCBO official Khashayar Toghyani denied the request on Aug. 30 based on Section 172 of RA 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code classifying the requested documents as “original intellectual works and hence intellectual properties exclusively owned by their creators which are protected from the moment of their creation.”
Toghyani added that the requested documents “can only be accessed upon the instance of the structure owner, or prior permission/authority from the architect or creator of the plan or a valid order from a competent court.”
In a separate interview, PRO XI spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey on Thursday said “The layout of the buildings would help us on our ongoing service of arrest warrants.”
In a recent press conference, Torre III claimed they discovered a well-designed room allegedly occupied by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy but no one was present when the operatives arrived between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
“The room was very nice, with furnishings matching the profile of a man, including the size of shoes and other personal items belonging to Pastor Quiboloy. It was surrounded by smaller rooms for women, as evidenced by the items found,” he added.
In response, Atty. Israelito Torreon remarked, “I would be surprised if Pastor Apollo Quiboloy did not have a well-presented room. Even our own school is quite nice. If there is a presentable room, it should not be seen as evidence against Pastor Quiboloy but rather as evidence of his success in his mission, which allows him to afford such accommodations.”
When asked which room it might be, Torreon suggested, “Perhaps it is near my office, close to the JMC building, which is now under their control. It could be around there.”
At least 2,000 police personnel from various regions were deployed to the 23-hectare KOJC compound on August 24 to arrest Quiboloy and his co-accused.
