Kasalukuyang naka-detain si Pastor Quiboloy at ang apat na kapwa niya akusado sa PNP Custodial Center sa Camp Crame matapos siyang sumuko nitong Linggo.
Nanindigan naman ang PNP na na-corner si Quiboloy kaya sumuko na ito matapos ang 16 araw na pagbabantay nila sa KOJC.
Nahaharap si Pastor Quiboloy sa patong-patong na reklamo kabilang ang paglabag sa Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act na ilang beses na ring itinanggi ng kanyang kampo. Ilan pang biktima umano ni Quiboloy ang lumapit na rin sa PNP para maghain ng reklamo.
Samantala, nagsampa na ang PNP CIDG at PAOCC ng reklamong qualified trafficking laban kay Cassandra Li Ong dahil sa umano'y kaugnayan nito sa ni-raid na POGO hub sa Porac, Pampanga.
Ayon sa legal counsel ni Ong na si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, hindi sumipot si Ong sa senate hearing nitong Lunes dahil nasa ospital pa raw ito.
Ang update sa kaso ni Pastor Quiboloy at ang latest sa imbestigasyon sa POGO, sasagutin ng abogado ng mga akusado na si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio at ng tagapagsalita ng PNP na si PCol Jean Fajardo sa buong panayam ng #TheMangahasInterviews.
Nanindigan naman ang PNP na na-corner si Quiboloy kaya sumuko na ito matapos ang 16 araw na pagbabantay nila sa KOJC.
Nahaharap si Pastor Quiboloy sa patong-patong na reklamo kabilang ang paglabag sa Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act na ilang beses na ring itinanggi ng kanyang kampo. Ilan pang biktima umano ni Quiboloy ang lumapit na rin sa PNP para maghain ng reklamo.
Samantala, nagsampa na ang PNP CIDG at PAOCC ng reklamong qualified trafficking laban kay Cassandra Li Ong dahil sa umano'y kaugnayan nito sa ni-raid na POGO hub sa Porac, Pampanga.
Ayon sa legal counsel ni Ong na si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, hindi sumipot si Ong sa senate hearing nitong Lunes dahil nasa ospital pa raw ito.
Ang update sa kaso ni Pastor Quiboloy at ang latest sa imbestigasyon sa POGO, sasagutin ng abogado ng mga akusado na si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio at ng tagapagsalita ng PNP na si PCol Jean Fajardo sa buong panayam ng #TheMangahasInterviews.
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NewsTranscript
00:00:00What is the latest on the controversial cases of Pastor Apollo Quibuloy, Cassandra Ong and former congressman Arnulfo Tevez?
00:00:14Let's find out from their controversial lawyer, Atty. Ferdie Topacio. Good day Atty. Ferdie.
00:00:22Good day Ma'am Malu.
00:00:26Atty. Ferdie, let's go first to Pastor Apollo Quibuloy. Atty. Torreon, Pastor Apollo's lawyer, also said that there are many people talking about him.
00:00:38Officials of ISAF, officials of PNP and others. So in effect, a joint pool of contacts are convincing him to surrender or is he the one who decided to surrender?
00:00:53Again, to the extent that I can reveal to the public, this is a voluntary surrender. For certain reasons, Pastor should have turned himself in. It's as simple as that. He was not arrested.
00:01:10All right. But to be honest, before the surrender, there was an ultimatum given by the PNP. There's no electricity, there's no water and it looks like those are the conditions that were constricted by the judge,
00:01:23the situation of Pastor Apollo Quibuloy and his co-defendants.
00:01:29You know, that's another thing that we are saddened by. They're saying that because of the pressure of the police, Pastor Quibuloy surrendered.
00:01:42You know, the pressure they're saying amounted to violation of basic civil and political rights, abuse of power, abuse of authority, abuse of service of warrant of arrest.
00:01:57Now, if we normalize this, that the violation of the law is a violation of the law to pressure a person, just as well, we should arrest his family and hostages until he surrenders.
00:02:16That's the meaning. We cannot normalize violations of the law under the guise of providing pressure for a person to surrender. Even if a person has a warrant, certain rights still have to be observed.
00:02:32These rights were blatantly violated during the siege of the KOJC compound in Buhangin, Davao City.
00:02:39All right. But attorney, let's talk about balancing of rights. There's an arrest warrant for Pastor Apollo Quibuloy.
00:02:46For 16 days, 1,200 police were there to search the 30-hectare property.
00:02:54What General Torrey said is that they're looking for the person.
00:02:59The search happened because they cannot finish the search in the size of the compound.
00:03:05On the other hand, the police also committed harassment on behalf of KOJC members.
00:03:12So what is this? The right to search and arrest warrant by the state, which was proven by the Court of Appeals to be correct.
00:03:22Or the right of the people of KOJC not to violate their property and territory.
00:03:29You know, they should have read what the Supreme Court of America said in Miranda v. State of Arizona.
00:03:39Basically, the ED does not justify the means. You cannot justify illegal acts by the results achieved.
00:03:49You know, you're right, ma'am Malu. The state has a right to apprehend criminals subject to the warrants of arrest.
00:04:00But you have to remember, number one, we have rules of court that prescribes the manner by which a warrant of arrest is served.
00:04:10If you hit someone in a house, let's say, let's not say compound, house, and you showed the warrant of arrest,
00:04:19and you found a subject, and it was said that he's not there, and you have reasonable ground to believe that he's there, of course you may break in.
00:04:30We admit that, that's conceded. But if you entered a house, you looked around the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, if there are other rooms,
00:04:41and you didn't find a subject there, you cannot live in that house for 16 days.
00:04:48That's where you eat, that's where you sleep, you are waiting for the person.
00:04:52That's the analogy. That's what will happen to an ordinary person.
00:04:55That's why it's stated in the rules of court, if after 10 days, the warrant cannot be served, you make a return to the court,
00:05:03reporting why the warrant could not be served. Usually, under ordinary circumstances, they will say that the subject cannot be found.
00:05:12Here, they are sure that Pastor Quiboloy is inside the compound. They are checking.
00:05:21That's why Pastor Quiboloy will come from outside the compound.
00:05:26That's reasonable certainty. They are just saying signal intelligence, human intelligence.
00:05:32All right. Even heartbeat.
00:05:35But attorney, you said that Pastor Quiboloy decided to avoid bloodshed so that there will be no further shooting.
00:05:44Why did the operation of the police last for 16 days without shooting?
00:05:50The KOJC said there will be no more shooting. Vice President Sara said it's already in heaven.
00:05:55But in truth, the arrest warrant is still open. Why didn't he surrender earlier if the rule of law is what we are arguing here?
00:06:06You know, there is a misconception that if you are a subject of warrant, you have an obligation to surrender.
00:06:14That's why our law enforcement authorities have coercive measures to arrest.
00:06:22There may be certain considerations as to why a person is not surrendering.
00:06:28Like this, we have already alleged, as early as last year or two years ago, that Pastor Quiboloy has a criminal record.
00:06:38Our Supreme Court recognized that when they said in a case that the right to self-preservation is the supreme law.
00:06:47Because a person has the right to protect himself.
00:06:50There is no need to surrender immediately if there is a warrant.
00:06:55Maybe you are looking at the situation first, if there is danger to your life or limb, you should arrange the situation first
00:07:03so that if you surrender, like now, you will have protection.
00:07:08Those are the conditions that the President of the BBM said that he will not send him to the United States.
00:07:16That's how the news spread.
00:07:20But what other lawyers say is that it's impossible.
00:07:23Because Pastor Quiboloy should be here in the police station.
00:07:29First, the Philippine courts and then the US courts.
00:07:32The President of the Philippines has no authority at all to say that we will not send Pastor Quiboloy to the United States.
00:07:43Please clarify that. Should there be such a condition?
00:07:47Should he be given such a condition for his surrender?
00:07:51I will have to politely decline to answer that because we have a discussion about that.
00:07:59But suffice it to state that now that he's in custody after having surrendered to the authorities,
00:08:05then the rules on extradition will have to be followed.
00:08:08Meaning that the Department of Justice will have to file, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs,
00:08:18a petition for extradition to the regional trial court.
00:08:21There will be a hearing after which a judgment will be rendered.
00:08:25Then the judgment, if it is for extradition, will be held in abeyance until after the appropriate appeal is made with the Court of Appeals.
00:08:34So that is the procedure of extradition in our law.
00:08:38So it means that the Philippine courts will be the first to decide what will happen to the extradition appeal.
00:08:46Yes. That is always the principle.
00:08:50We are a signatory to an extradition treaty with the United States, which has the force and effect of law in our country.
00:09:01Of course, the primary jurisdiction always belongs to us as a sovereign nation before other countries.
00:09:08Of course, the justice system of our country will be the first.
00:09:12That is the fundamental principle of international law.
00:09:15Now you've seen social media actually celebrating the role of General Torrey and the policemen.
00:09:22They're saying that actually, they set the predicate.
00:09:26The 16 days that the police were on the run became the pressure.
00:09:31You don't like to call that pressure.
00:09:33But that's the context of why Pastor Quiboloy decided to surrender in the end.
00:09:38What is your opinion on that?
00:09:40That's what I'm saying. We cannot normalize the violation of the law.
00:09:48A lawful effect cannot come from unlawful acts.
00:09:52If something is unlawful in the beginning, it's not justified to say that what happened was lawful.
00:10:00If we normalize that, whenever there's a warrant of arrest, we will pressure them.
00:10:07We will mess up the house of the subject of the warrant.
00:10:11We will mess it up, we will attack their houses, the houses of the wanted.
00:10:16That's not a good precedent. We cannot normalize that.
00:10:20That's why I think we will still have to make appropriate remedies with respect to the violation of rights,
00:10:27both of the kingdom of Jesus Christ and its individual members.
00:10:31Okay. That's the issue of separation of church and state.
00:10:34That came up as one of the contexts of this debate.
00:10:38Does the government have the right to respect the separation of church and state,
00:10:46because the purpose of the facility of KOJC is for religious, ecclesiastical purpose.
00:10:52The police entered, but there's a standing warrant of arrest. What is your view on that?
00:11:00There's no problem with the warrant as I've said.
00:11:03We can see that the police... Actually, a warrant is addressed to any law enforcement officer.
00:11:12It can break open in one place.
00:11:19It's not so much a matter of separation of church and state as the guarantees in favor of individual liberties,
00:11:29as stated in Article 3 of the Constitution, which is the Bill of Rights.
00:11:33No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
00:11:40Like what you said Mr. Malu, you're right. Balancing of interest.
00:11:45The police may serve the warrant, they may break into any property and look around to look for the suspect,
00:11:51but not to the extent that private rights such as property rights, the right to use the property.
00:11:57When I was there on September 4 to 5, they did not allow members of KOJC to enter the cathedral,
00:12:04which to them is the most sacred part of that compound.
00:12:08The place is not being used properly because there are many police in the right to privacy.
00:12:14So in the greater scheme of things ma'am, the Constitutional limitations,
00:12:20as stated by our Constitution, the balance is always in favor of individual rights.
00:12:34Because the theory is that the state, the government is powerful.
00:12:39That is why Article 3 imposes a limit to the powers of government.
00:12:47So all things being equal, the balance should be built in favor of individual liberties.
00:12:54Malakas ang estado, may puwersa siya, may armed forces siya.
00:12:57Ang individual ay helpless in the face of such exercise of state power.
00:13:03Okay. It looks like you might be filing also other suits against the government or the PNP.
00:13:11It looks like this is the case.
00:13:13Will there be a case against Pastor Quiboloy, Pastor Quiboloy versus the PNP and the government?
00:13:22Well most likely, the fact that even if Pastor Quiboloy is arrested within the compound,
00:13:31that will not excuse the violation of rights already perpetrated towards that end.
00:13:37Because as I said, the end will never justify the means,
00:13:42especially under a republican and democratic system of government,
00:13:47where we have a constitution where individual rights are protected.
00:13:51So no matter what happens, even if there's an attempt,
00:13:54even on the assumption that after a trial, Pastor Quiboloy is found guilty,
00:14:01even then, there is still violation of our law and applicable laws that should be enforced.
00:14:08All right.
00:14:09Now, there's news that President Rodrigo Duterte took over the management of Pastor Quiboloy's estate,
00:14:18including the suspended radio and TV entities.
00:14:23So what will be the impact?
00:14:25If Pastor Quiboloy is not there, what about his properties including the chopper,
00:14:30including the vehicles, including the 30-hectare KOJC compound?
00:14:35Who is the person of authority to manage the church and his assets?
00:14:42As far as I know, those properties do not pertain to Pastor Quiboloy as an individual,
00:14:51but they pertain to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ as a separate juridical entity from that of Pastor Quiboloy.
00:14:59The KOJC, as I have learned from reading his bylaws, is a well-organized religion.
00:15:06They have well-defined rules of succession.
00:15:12The agreement with President Duterte will hold that if the leadership is decimated,
00:15:19then President Duterte may come in. But there are certain conditions to that.
00:15:25I am not the lawyer of the KOJC when it comes to his corporate matters.
00:15:31I am the personal counsel of Pastor Quiboloy.
00:15:34But as far as I can tell you, there are structures and mechanisms in place to continue the operations of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ,
00:15:44even while Pastor Quiboloy is facing these charges and is in custody.
00:15:50All right. Now I can't help asking about the political context of this case and what's happening in the KOJC.
00:16:00Because it's like the Dutertes versus, well supposedly, BBM and the state agencies under him.
00:16:08And there was a hearing in the Senate. It was like a lightning hearing.
00:16:13Senator Bato, Senator Bongo, even Mayor Baste.
00:16:18So you cannot ignore the political context and the political parties across in this situation.
00:16:26How much of that, the politics, do you give credence to in this case?
00:16:31I think politically motivated. This is just my humble opinion.
00:16:38But we can clearly see the pattern that the present dispensation appears to be hell-bent in weakening or totally dismantling the power base of the Dutertes
00:16:50so that they have no rival for the perpetuation of their power beyond 2028.
00:16:56The unlightning hearing, that's right. That's what I'm laughing about. That was the most sober hearing.
00:17:03That's what I'm telling others.
00:17:06You know, what's good about that hearing and what's happening there,
00:17:13is the crafting of a definitive law governing the service of arrest warrants,
00:17:20such as those committed against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the faithful thereof, will not be repeated.
00:17:27There should be a limitation, there should be a limit, there should be restrictions on the service of warrant of arrest,
00:17:37so it will not outrun the bounds of reason and result in sheer oppression.
00:17:42I am looking forward to that law, henceforth, that will not repeat the unrighteousness of the people.
00:17:50Okay. Now you talk about rights, but in reality, no one is defending Pastor Quiboloy and KOJC outside of the Dutertes.
00:18:02Our other politicians and even the courts actually, well other politicians are silent about it,
00:18:10the courts and of course the BBM and PNP, the ILG leadership are fully behind it.
00:18:16So you don't have other allies.
00:18:19The enforcement of rights do not depend on whether or not people are for or against you.
00:18:29Rights are there in the Constitution. In fact, the framers of the Constitution said the Bill of Rights exists for those in the minority,
00:18:39even more than they are for the majority.
00:18:43Minority should have entitlement to the protection of the Bill of Rights.
00:18:50That's why there is a Bill of Rights, it is for the persecuted, not for those in positions of power.
00:18:57As in fact, I will repeat, the Bill of Rights is a limitation on state power to prevent abuse under a tripartite system of government.
00:19:07That's why we have checks and balances.
00:19:09Therefore, in other words, the protection of rights, the existence of rights is not a popularity contest.
00:19:17It is something enshrined in the Constitution, which is a document on which is established the bedrock of a democratic government.
00:19:26Now on the outlook, of course, the belief of KOJC members is very strong.
00:19:32They are not just a few, they are thousands.
00:19:35What is the outlook that you see?
00:19:37They will probably mask up when there is a hearing or when they are called to the court.
00:19:42They will probably also lobby in front of the Kamkrame.
00:19:47What do you think should be the decorum or order of things for KOJC members?
00:19:55Because if you really enter the framework to let the courts actually litigate or try the case,
00:20:02the events might become chaotic.
00:20:07Not really. Members of the Kingdom are also citizens of the Philippines and like all citizens,
00:20:14they are also entitled to assemble peaceably to petition the government for redress of grievances.
00:20:23They also have the right to free expression, to express their feelings regarding this matter.
00:20:29I can assure you that there will be no violation of the law when it comes to the exercise of these basic rights.
00:20:36At any rate, our government is here.
00:20:39The government has remedies if they feel that rights are being violated
00:20:46or if there are transgressions of the laws pertaining to such freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
00:20:54Okay. Back to Bill of Rights.
00:20:56But attorney, the flip side of this, those who are accusing Pastor Quiboloy of sex trafficking,
00:21:03or illegal detention, or in effect servitude.
00:21:09What about their rights?
00:21:11Because they have nothing else but possibly their stories.
00:21:15They will not face a powerful and powerful group like KOJC and Pastor Quiboloy.
00:21:22How about their rights? Because they are the in effect complainants in this case.
00:21:26Yes of course, they have the right to complain.
00:21:30Pastor Quiboloy will now be facing the charges against him and they will have their day in court.
00:21:39Those are the rights of a person complaining about a criminal offense,
00:21:45in the same manner that in his favor, Pastor Quiboloy has the right to be presumed innocent,
00:21:51the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, the right against self-incrimination.
00:21:56Those are their rights.
00:21:58The victims have exercised their rights.
00:22:01They are now complaining. They have a warrant.
00:22:04They saw that they were successful in the court and they have a warrant.
00:22:09Pastor Quiboloy surrendered.
00:22:11So let the trial take place and let the due course of the law proceed as envisioned in our judicial system.
00:22:23Okay. Let's go back.
00:22:25You said that Pastor Quiboloy is in Hangar.
00:22:29When he was seen, he looks different. It means he disguised himself.
00:22:34Did he really try to escape from being caught?
00:22:40Because he has a different face, clothes, black jacket, he has a scarf that looks like he's wearing.
00:22:50So what is the charge for that?
00:22:53Well, that will have to be left unsaid at the moment.
00:22:58Maybe at the proper time, that interesting tale will be told.
00:23:03But for now, it's not yet known.
00:23:05Why is this in ESOP?
00:23:07It can also be in PNP-SAF or other PNP Director General if he doesn't want General Torre.
00:23:16What will happen is, the SAF, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces, has no authority to hold in custody people who have cases,
00:23:32like Pastor Quiboloy's case.
00:23:34That's why he's still in the detention center.
00:23:37Is that so? Please explain. Because in ESOP, he surrendered.
00:23:42So far as I can discuss it publicly, suffice it to state that it may be a matter of trust.
00:23:50I will just leave it at that for the moment.
00:23:53All right. Of course, that's a big thing.
00:23:57In the same way, it's a matter of trust that you're still his lawyer.
00:24:01Does this look like a battery of lawyers?
00:24:04It looks like you will pull no stops to present a big great panel of lawyers to defend Pastor Quiboloy. Is that so?
00:24:16It's not really a matter of not pulling all stops, but it is the bounden duty of every lawyer who is tasked to defend an accused,
00:24:27to use every facility in the legal armory to defend his client. We need that.
00:24:35Otherwise, a lawyer who does not use every legal means at his disposal to defend a client is a traitor to his profession.
00:24:46When we defend, we need an all-out act. If not, we will violate our oath as lawyers.
00:24:55These cases have been going on for several years, maybe even decades.
00:24:59If we will go up to the Supreme Court and before it becomes final and executory,
00:25:05whatever decision will be made, our patience will run out.
00:25:10They say, aside from the court case, what they call extralegal or metalegal engagement of important lawyers,
00:25:20are you preparing for that? It means on the street, outside the court.
00:25:25What they call extralegal is, like this, you will interview us. I think it's not really extralegal or metalegal,
00:25:38but it's part of also the constitutional guarantee of the public to be made aware on matters of public concern.
00:25:46I'm also a media practitioner. I have a program on TV and I'm the director of the National Press Club.
00:25:52You're also an anchor.
00:25:54It's part and parcel of the media's job as the so-called fourth estate to keep the public informed of what's happening,
00:26:05regarding matters which concerns them.
00:26:07This is a matter of public concern because this involves the foundations, the very foundations of our justice system.
00:26:17All right. Will there be PRs to be hired to take the story of Pastor Kibaloy up front?
00:26:26As far as I'm concerned, there's no need. I am my own PR.
00:26:33That's more expensive.
00:26:35So to speak.
00:26:37It looks like you have a lot of nerves.
00:26:42You know, media perception is not really a matter of funding or the number of PRs,
00:26:55but the public perception as to who is telling the truth and who is typing facts to suit their own purposes.
00:27:05Like what they're saying, he's already arrested.
00:27:08It's not like that. People nowadays are smart.
00:27:11The so-called traditional media has lost its stranglehold on the conduit of information because of the quick rise of social media.
00:27:23The people have accumulated a lot of information.
00:27:27They cannot be monopolized like you.
00:27:30It's the people who are analyzing a lot of information that is coming to them.
00:27:36That is when they are free to form their own opinion.
00:27:40Okay. Attorney, timetable, quickly.
00:27:43When is the schedule?
00:27:45Because there's a case where the arrest warrant came from a court.
00:27:51But it looks like there's a case in Quezon City, Dabao. Where will it go? Where will it go first?
00:27:57Our Supreme Court has already ordered that the criminal cases against Pastor Quibuloy should be transferred to the National Capital Region.
00:28:08The usual course of proceedings in criminal cases, in all criminal cases, is when the accused surrenders, the next step is the arraignment.
00:28:21So we should be looking at the pastor's arraignment sometime soon, after which there will be a pretrial and then we will go on to the trial proper.
00:28:31That's where we will present our evidence.
00:28:36Remember that since the accused is always presumed innocent, it is the prosecution's burden to prove guilty.
00:28:44They said that the defense might have hundreds of witnesses.
00:28:50Is that why this happened? How many thousand members are there in the KOJC?
00:28:54Maybe you should call all of them.
00:28:57Of course, not all members can be witnesses. But you know, considering the gravity of the offenses charged,
00:29:07of course, it is the duty of an accused to produce witnesses in his behalf, as well as to confront the witnesses against him.
00:29:19If there are many witnesses against him, of course, we have the right to cross-examine him.
00:29:25These are all parts of the safeguards afforded by law to a person accused of a crime.
00:29:35So it should not be a bad thing to use these safeguards.
00:29:40Because it is the law that provides these safeguards. We are not doing this.
00:29:45We are just using the rights, remedies and procedures provided by the law.
00:29:54Under the law, we are not doing this.
00:29:57Okay. So good luck to all of us. This will be a long, long wait for all of us.
00:30:04Well, as I said, this is not the end. This is just the beginning of our quest for justice.
00:30:11Like what they're saying, soap operas will wait for the next chapter.
00:30:18Okay. It looks like justice will grind exceedingly slow. But you have another client.
00:30:23It looks like you also forgot the situation, Ms. Cassie Cassandra Ong.
00:30:28What's the situation? She's in the hospital.
00:30:30Yes.
00:30:31Why is that?
00:30:32She's in the hospital because... well, this is a matter of public record.
00:30:38Last week, because of the mental and psychological torture she experienced in our House of Representatives,
00:30:51her blood pressure dropped to 80 over 40. That's documented.
00:31:00According to the House Medical Director, Dr. Bautista, her blood sugar became so low that it could not be measured by the instrument.
00:31:09So she was brought to the hospital.
00:31:11I see that whenever I visit her, she has mental health problems and breaks down.
00:31:19Who wouldn't break down? She's 24. She's not used to such scrutiny.
00:31:25Before we face scrutiny, there is a Roman phalanx of hostile members of the House of Representatives.
00:31:38Even the right to counsel is being blocked. I don't want to talk to them.
00:31:42You will be grilled, you will be insulted, you will be threatened.
00:31:47Who wouldn't break down?
00:31:49She told me that when she was growing up, she couldn't raise her voice.
00:31:55If you put her in front of a scary camera, she will be badly shaken mentally.
00:32:06But attorney, it looks like she was very well poised during the hearing of the House Quad Committee.
00:32:14It looks like she was alert because I always invoke my right to self-incrimination.
00:32:20It looks like she was practiced and rehearsed.
00:32:26In truth, the problem is that there are a lot of questions about her role in Lucky South, her POCO operations.
00:32:36She is only a real estate manager and owner.
00:32:40So how will that be solved? Because it's connected to the investigation of Ms. Alice Go.
00:32:46They are friends and girlfriend of Ms. Alice Go's brother, Wesley.
00:32:52You know, I think the public, as well as our legislators, should not lose sight of the fact that these hearings are supposed to be in aid of legislation.
00:33:05Our Supreme Court said in a long line of cases that the legislature is not a court, it is not an investigative agency, it is not the police, it is not the NBI.
00:33:19They are not there to determine the guilt or innocence of anyone or even the commission of a crime.
00:33:26What you're trying to do is to make a law, and I'm just asking because our legislators seem to have forgotten that they are not investigators.
00:33:40So why are they interrogating these resource persons with respect to the possible commission of a crime?
00:33:47You're saying it's well rehearsed. It doesn't need to be rehearsed.
00:33:51The right against self-incrimination is in the Constitution and our legislators are right when they say that you invoke that whenever a self-incriminatory question arises.
00:34:03However, they forgot that aside from the right against self-incrimination, the Constitution also provides that any person in custody and accused of committing a crime
00:34:17has the right to remain silent and that has been interpreted as the right not to say anything.
00:34:24If you don't want to testify, you should not force it. Of course, we also concede that the legislature, in case of a reluctant or recalcitrant witness who refuses to testify,
00:34:37she can go to jail. That's the balancing of rights. We have the right not to say anything and we have the right not to be forced to say anything.
00:34:46The legislature has the right to cite her in contempt. So let's leave it at that.
00:34:51Don't pressure the person who doesn't want to speak, that you're forcing them to speak because that is unconstitutional.
00:34:59Our legislators as public officials, when they took their oath of office, they swore to uphold and protect the laws of the Philippines and pardon that law,
00:35:11the highest law in fact of the Constitution, which provides for the right to remain silent.
00:35:17But attorney, give the credit to the Senate and the House that if not because of these hearings, different issues will not be brought up.
00:35:27It's like we don't know the issues as citizens, whether it's POGO or extrajudicial killings or the alleged allegations of Pastor Kibuloy.
00:35:38The Senate and the House have done a lot for the revelatory outputs.
00:35:43Yes. But that's not the role of our legislature, like I said. It's right that those topics should be brought up. That's not a problem.
00:35:56Until when will Ms. Casi be in the hospital? You said she has a mental health condition.
00:36:02Yes. We will have to defer to the good judgment of Dr. Bautista, the House medical director. I'm not a doctor, although I observed that she has a mental and emotional breakdown.
00:36:17Of course, I'm not competent to make a diagnosis. We will have to leave that to the experts.
00:36:24I have a question. There are no parents or father or mother or siblings who are going out to take care of her. Is she not here in the Philippines? Are they helping out at all?
00:36:37She gave me that information but I don't want to release it because without her consent, I might be violating her right to privacy.
00:36:46I'm sure that one thing that contributes to her sad mental state now is that she has no support group other than her lawyers and some friends of course.
00:37:00Okay. Now your last client, Congressman Arnulfo Tevez. What is the true story? Is he an extradite? What is the situation?
00:37:12That's what I'm saying to the DOJ. The media should be wary when receiving information from the DOJ because this is all fake news that the DOJ is giving.
00:37:25Remember when they said that Mr. Tevez would be returning. There were many people who ran to his house, but nothing happened.
00:37:32Then Mico Calabano said that by the end of July, he will be here. But nothing happened.
00:37:38They're saying that Mr. Tevez' son is giving out money. It's the other way around. They're giving out money and they're complaining.
00:37:50That's what they're saying. By this month, he's an extradite. Why? I'm wondering if they're talking to people in Timor-Leste who are receiving advance information.
00:38:03That's prohibited. Under any system of government, you cannot talk to the U.S. to know in advance what the decision is.
00:38:13I'm wondering where they're getting it from. Just last week, they issued a press release that Congressman Tevez' appeal was denied.
00:38:24That's not true. I showed to our friends in the media the front page of Jarios and Timor-Leste that there's no such decision.
00:38:32This is not the Department of Justice, this is all fake news.
00:38:37Last but not least, attorney. Why are you the lawyer of choice for these controversial clients of yours? What's in it for you really?
00:38:47You want to be the lawyer of all those hard to defend clients?
00:38:52As you know, lawyers cannot solicit business. They have to come to us. That's prohibited. That's ambience chasing. I've never done that.
00:39:03In fact, before I became a client, I never knew them before and I never approached them. I think they thought I'm good.
00:39:12What did you say? Are you good?
00:39:16I said if you think I'm good, that remains to be seen.
00:39:22But all of them approached you. You did not approach them. You're not ambience chaser.
00:39:27That's prohibited. I'm willing to take a lie detector test. I did not approach a client. Modesty aside, our practice is okay.
00:39:37We do not need to solicit. Unlike in the U.S., where lawyers can advertise and solicit clients, that is unethical.
00:39:45No one ever complained to me that I solicited clients. That's prohibited. I find that practice despicable.
00:39:54Lastly, we would like to thank...
00:39:57It's always been a pleasure.
00:40:01PASTOR APOLLO KIBULOY'S CASE
00:40:15The cases that Pastor Apollo Kibuloy is facing and the ongoing fight against illegal smuggling.
00:40:24Let's find out the latest from the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police, Colonel Gene Fajardo.
00:40:31Good day, Ms. Gene.
00:40:33Good day, Ma'am Malu.
00:40:36Colonel Gene is a lawyer and he knows the next step in Pastor Apollo Kibuloy's first case.
00:40:43What are the next steps, Colonel Gene?
00:40:47On Friday, there will be a face-to-face arraignment between Pastor Kibuloy and four of his associates in RTC Branch 159.
00:41:00This is the reason why yesterday, we submitted an urgent motion to retain custody.
00:41:07PASIG-RTC issued an issue when we returned the warrant of arrest to produce Pastor Kibuloy and four others on Friday.
00:41:19How many cases are you facing? There are cases in PASIG, in Quezon City, and there are also cases in Restaurant.
00:41:26What is the situation in the Senate? What should be done?
00:41:31There are two cases pending in RTC 106 in Quezon City.
00:41:39These are the two cases of child abuse and other sexual abuse that were filed in Davao.
00:41:47But in May, the court issued a decision to transfer all the cases involving Pastor Kibuloy to Quezon City.
00:41:56These are bailable offenses and other Pastor Kibuloy's associates were able to file a bail, except for him.
00:42:02Aside from that, there is another case in RTC 159 in PASIG, which is a non-bailable offense. This is qualified human trafficking.
00:42:13This is precisely, ma'am, the reason why we requested to retain the custody of Pastor Kibuloy and four others until the arraignment in PASIG City ends this coming Friday.
00:42:30Is the situation, Col. Jean, that these cases will move simultaneously or will PASIG City and Quezon City be the first to request to transfer Pastor Kibuloy to their jail,
00:42:44who was denied by the PNP because there are other cases in PASIG City. What is the situation? Will PASIG City be the first?
00:42:52On Friday, ma'am, the face-to-face arraignment will be the first in PASIG City.
00:42:57This afternoon, the video conferencing arraignment will be scheduled in RTC 106.
00:43:06Okay. Col. Jean, we saw the stories the other day that Pastor Kibuloy surrendered and was technically arrested.
00:43:15Please tell us about that because the version of KOJC and the lawyer of Pastor Kibuloy, Atty. Ferdy Topacio, surrendered. He was not arrested.
00:43:25Please explain. But you have a case where he was technically arrested. That's what the DOJ said.
00:43:32Ma'am, what we're saying is that they surrendered. What we're saying is that there's no way out for them.
00:43:40When our policemen surrounded a building that we believe is theirs, as early as Saturday, they were given an ultimatum.
00:43:52We said that this building will be entered because we know that we have specific information about their area.
00:44:00But the deadline was extended until Sunday because the bar exam is ongoing.
00:44:07The bar exam, one of the schools there, particularly JMC, has a bar exam.
00:44:13They were given an ultimatum until Sunday at 1 p.m. That ultimatum was communicated to the attorney.
00:44:23That's why early in the morning on Sunday, our policemen were prepositioned and ready to enter that particular building.
00:44:33Around 10 p.m., our policemen showed up. They were near the building.
00:44:39It so happened ma'am that before the 1 p.m. deadline of Sunday, around 12.30 p.m., General Torrey received a call.
00:44:50He was informed by a high-ranking officer of TNP to extend the deadline up to 3 p.m. because the negotiation is still ongoing.
00:45:01When the negotiation started, a high-ranking officer of TNP arrived around 1 p.m. because of the 1 p.m. deadline.
00:45:13We extended the deadline until 3 p.m. However, around 3 p.m., we saw that there was no movement on what they're saying that they will use an airplane to transport Kibuloy and others.
00:45:29They agreed that they will use an airplane to transport them to Manila and will receive TNP to continue the process.
00:45:39Around 3 p.m., ma'am, we saw that General Torrey did not see any movement of the airplane. Again, they were ready to enter the building again.
00:45:51However, around 3 p.m., we received confirmation from General Torrey that the airplane is on its way there.
00:46:02The negotiation is still ongoing there. But just the same, around 5 p.m., we still did not see any physical presence of the airplane.
00:46:12They will enter the area again because General Torrey's fear is that we are being taken for a ride.
00:46:22There's no movement of the airplane. They're just saying that the airplane is on its way. General Torrey said we extended the 1 p.m. deadline until 3 p.m., but at 5.30 p.m., there's no sight of the airplane that will be picked up.
00:46:37By 5.30 p.m., we are ready to enter. However, later on, the airplane landed and there was a positive confirmation that the airplane is there.
00:46:50So by 6 p.m., the airplane landed in Tong. From there, Pasperky Buloy and others boarded the airplane. They were inside, all along inside the KOJC.
00:47:04There were vehicles that entered the area and they boarded the airplane and went straight to Hangar. There's a road in the KOJC compound, ma'am. It goes straight to the airport.
00:47:18They went to Tong, where the airplane is. By 6.30, 6.45 p.m., the airplane took off.
00:47:27Okay. Let's make it clear. Is that an airplane of the Air Force or a private airplane?
00:47:34C-130.
00:47:36C-130. Okay. When there was a negotiation, there was news that you don't want to see the face of General Torrey. Is that right? What are the terms and conditions that were given?
00:47:48There are no other conditions, ma'am, that were given. But during the negotiation, we sent a ranking officer because they requested that General Torrey should not be included in the negotiation.
00:47:59For obvious reasons, because the relationship is strained. The accusation was thrown and the painful words were exchanged. It is expected that they will not allow General Torrey.
00:48:11General Torrey, being a professional officer, I respected that. What's important is that regardless of whether he's included in the negotiation, regardless of who he's talking to,
00:48:22what we want is to resolve this issue finally.
00:48:27So in other words, your ultimate goal is to cut off electricity and water?
00:48:34There was no negotiation ma'am. There was no talk of that. In fact, on the first day ma'am, that's what they offloaded.
00:48:40They were told to cut off electricity and water. Their big sign, their lead wall in their kingdom is still there.
00:48:49They continue to eat, they continue to work. We can say that if they were not included, if they were told to cut off electricity,
00:48:57I don't think the operation would last that long. Out of the question, what they're saying is that they will cut off electricity and water in the area.
00:49:07Okay. The version of KOJC, particularly Atty. Torreon, decided to surrender Pastor Quibuloy because he doesn't want to get sick,
00:49:17or he doesn't want to do DOSA, or his fellow members will be harassed further in the church.
00:49:23The version of the police is that this is a pressure. He has no choice but to give up or surrender. What really happened?
00:49:32There's no way out for them ma'am Malu because they are being surrounded. We are on the 16th day already.
00:49:40It's been six weeks already. As you can remember Ma'am Malu, there was a senate hearing on that Friday.
00:49:49The PNP and General Torrey showed us the hardship that we experienced there.
00:49:56It was really hard for us to go there. All on their terms.
00:50:00We had to go to a place to see it. It was really scary. There was no fight.
00:50:08If you noticed, we were being harassed by the police. This is the only time we saw the police being harassed.
00:50:14But we agreed to that so we can continue our search in particular areas.
00:50:22As you can remember, no less than the senator Batuang Umalma, we are the police and you are the police.
00:50:29We are being harassed. We should be the ones to go there and search for weapons.
00:50:33That was the cue of General Torrey.
00:50:36The following day, at 7 a.m., 7.30 a.m., he said that the building is about to be searched and he will use staff and SWAT.
00:50:46That was the ultimate pressure that they will not be able to handle.
00:50:50That's why they said that they gave up. There's no way out for them.
00:50:53They just gave up because the building is about to be searched.
00:51:00All right. Let's talk about the 1,200 police who were there during the operation.
00:51:07One of them didn't have a weapon. He didn't have a gun.
00:51:11Let's make it clear ma'am. Those who entered the building on August 24, particularly the searching team and the designated arresting officers,
00:51:21they didn't have weapons.
00:51:23You can see those who entered the KOJC building with weapons.
00:51:28They serve as perimeter security.
00:51:31Even our CDM contingents who are outside the gate and guarding,
00:51:37they don't have weapons other than their shields and sticks that they use for signals and commands that they can understand.
00:51:49So there was really no intention to hurt anyone.
00:51:52On the contrary, our police were injured.
00:51:55Some of their heads and noses were broken.
00:51:58There were a lot of injuries.
00:52:00We also said that the PNP did it with maximum tolerance.
00:52:07The public's acceptance of General Torre and the police was good.
00:52:12Can you explain the 16 days that you were there, how did you ensure the supplies and food of the police who were there?
00:52:21It was really something massive. What happened?
00:52:27It was really part of the planning.
00:52:29Ma'am, when they entered the building on August 24, there was a long planning.
00:52:35We know that before our police entered the building under the leadership of General Torre,
00:52:41we are prepared for a long haul.
00:52:44The police will not leave the building until they are caught and brought to the jail for our searches.
00:52:54We have reasonable ground to believe that they were inside.
00:52:59For one, we have information that they were inside.
00:53:03Although they cannot determine where the particle is, that's why we are looking for it.
00:53:08But what is sure is that they were inside.
00:53:10Plus the fact that the instruments and devices that we use can detect human life.
00:53:17I saw it personally ma'am, General Torre showed it to me.
00:53:21You can see that there is movement underneath the particular buildings that I mentioned earlier.
00:53:28Okay. The police who were deployed during that operation,
00:53:32maybe during the 16 days that they were there,
00:53:35did none of them get angry or misbehave?
00:53:40Because it looks like your story is that the KOJC members who were injured during the encounter were your police,
00:53:47in the ranks of 1,200.
00:53:50Did none of them get angry?
00:53:53You know, our police are professional.
00:53:57When we were told to deploy, they know that the deployment will take a long time.
00:54:03That's why we need to get our PNP personnel to nearby regions to rest.
00:54:09You're right, some were injured, some were wounded.
00:54:13Some were hit by stones, some were hit by pork, some were hit by sticks.
00:54:17They were hit when they had a rally there.
00:54:20But the only instruction of our GPNP is exercise self-restraint.
00:54:25That's what our police did.
00:54:28We really have to commend our PNP personnel who were there.
00:54:33They know that they will not leave until our objective is achieved.
00:54:38After the airplane took off, there was a bad atmosphere inside the KOJC.
00:54:48It was really a relief.
00:54:50It was really overjoyed.
00:54:52It's a relief for our police that finally they can say that they are mission accomplished.
00:54:57Mission accomplished and they can now take a bath.
00:55:00It looks like it will be hard for you to have access to the surroundings, to the bath during that time.
00:55:08You know what was part of the planning?
00:55:11Would you believe ma'am?
00:55:12We put portals there.
00:55:14We don't want to think that their buildings will be allowed to enter.
00:55:18Something will happen there.
00:55:21Even the portals were considered in our deployment, including the replacement of personnel.
00:55:27Only a few will be able to withstand the fatigue within 24 hours.
00:55:32That's why we considered the replacement, the shipping.
00:55:35Even the water tanks were on standby so that we can get water and food.
00:55:43Chief PNP made sure that all the provisions needed by the police are readily available
00:55:50so that the police will not misunderstand where they will get water, food, etc.
00:55:57All these services were provided.
00:56:01Okay. But to be honest ma'am, it looks like it was a big operation.
00:56:05It looks like it was detailed.
00:56:07Was it a big expense?
00:56:09Definitely ma'am, there was an expense.
00:56:11Definitely ma'am, there was an expense because we have to consider, if you will remember ma'am,
00:56:15before we started, particularly before the very first operation on June 10,
00:56:20there was really an open pronouncement by no less than Chief Buloy that he will not be caught alive.
00:56:26We also know that he is armed.
00:56:28We also know that the other personalities that he has with him have warrants and weapons.
00:56:35It cannot be denied that there are armed people with him.
00:56:39This was considered in our preparation as to how this huge compound of more or less 30 to 35 hectares will be entered.
00:56:48That's why everything was considered, how long it will take.
00:56:54The PNP's patience in this operation is really high.
00:56:58Sam, there's a question. You're saying that there's only one person and he's not just an ordinary person.
00:57:04We know that you saw on the second day how they were really confused.
00:57:10The road was blocked, firetrucks, trains, and wing bans were blocked.
00:57:19So in terms of resources, the enemy also has resources.
00:57:22He used his supporters to the hilt. It's a pity.
00:57:27All right. But ma'am, there's no search warrant.
00:57:31That's what Senator Bato was asking in the Senate hearing, an arrest warrant.
00:57:35That's one of the issues at bar.
00:57:37KOJC said that you only have an arrest warrant.
00:57:40You cannot occupy the whole compound or destroy or dig etc.
00:57:45But what is that? Did you see any weapons or other contraband?
00:57:52Or any other items that might be illegal?
00:57:58Our search, ma'am, is limited in finding people.
00:58:02That's why they're saying from the start that they will plant drugs and weapons.
00:58:08If that is the intention, maybe since day one, we already saw drugs and guns there.
00:58:14But the focus of the search is intended for five.
00:58:17We are not only looking for one person here, ma'am.
00:58:20We are looking for five people here.
00:58:23So the focus is there. Let's find them.
00:58:25We are opening the doors.
00:58:27But before you can search, check if the wall is hollow, if the cement is hollow.
00:58:35Maybe there's a secret entrance there.
00:58:37They cannot do that because they will block you.
00:58:40You cannot go there. You cannot go there.
00:58:42So that was the struggle, that was the challenges that the PNP faced.
00:58:46As we said, we don't want to delay this for more than what is necessary.
00:58:52But the hindrances, the disruption, all the blockages, we apologize for that.
00:58:58At the end of the day, we just want this to end.
00:59:02Finally, on Sunday, this standoff ended.
00:59:07Were you prepared to stay there longer than 16 days?
00:59:10How long was your plan? A month?
00:59:13Were you able to delay the search?
00:59:18You know, after the Senate hearing, there was a breakthrough on Friday.
00:59:24There was a person who came forward and confirmed the exact location where Pastor Q. Buloy was on Friday.
00:59:33He was interviewed by our operatives.
00:59:37That's why on Saturday, we gave an ultimatum that no less than General Torrey communicated to the Atty.
00:59:45whether they like it or not, they will enter that particular building.
00:59:49Even if they are blocked and everything is blocked, they will be arrested.
00:59:55I think that was the last stroke of pressure on them.
00:59:59They have no choice but to really come out in hiding.
01:00:04But ma'am, if we go back, in April, the cases were filed and the warrants were issued.
01:00:12Then there was a change of regional director.
01:00:19RD ma'am, RD.
01:00:21RD, the regional director.
01:00:23It seems like it didn't change from April until August 24 onward.
01:00:28Why did it change? What's the problem with the former directors?
01:00:33Well, what we saw there ma'am, in April, one of them retired.
01:00:38Mandatory retirement. The regional director was compulsorily retired.
01:00:42General Alegre Martinez replaced him.
01:00:46Even the city director replaced him because they met the maximum tenure as two years.
01:00:54So there was a change of leadership.
01:00:56It was a nice timing. The efforts were not taken off immediately to arrest him.
01:01:03Of course, we have to also exert efforts on our intelligence buildup to confirm.
01:01:08We have to develop our possible assets and informants that we can trust them.
01:01:15That was the first attempt, June 10 to be exact.
01:01:19That was the first attempt to enter the KOJC building.
01:01:23Is it not because there are political loyalties involved here?
01:01:27It seems like General Torre was replaced twice by the police director of the region.
01:01:35Is there any police that is more loyal or has a history with the Dutertes in Davao?
01:01:44That's one of the challenges that we faced ma'am.
01:01:47The local police there are not loyal to the Dutertes.
01:01:55We have to consider that their families are already there,
01:01:58their residents are already there.
01:02:00Maybe in terms of their desire, we are not questioning.
01:02:07We are not questioning if we can get them to be 100 percent professional because this is just a job.
01:02:15So there was a change of leadership, especially in assuming.
01:02:20This is one of the things that we saw ma'am.
01:02:22If you will notice, there was an assessment and evaluation after the June 10 operation.
01:02:29What happened there, imagine ma'am, the search was completed in three hours.
01:02:34That's what happened.
01:02:35It was like three hours.
01:02:36That's what the GPNP is saying.
01:02:39What kind of search was done?
01:02:40What kind of search was done?
01:02:42Why was it completed in three hours?
01:02:44Unlike this one where it was done one by one, no matter how hard it is, one by one.
01:02:50Imagine after more than a week ma'am, almost two weeks,
01:02:5450 percent is what we are looking for.
01:02:58General Torre is not from Davao.
01:03:02He's from Quezon City.
01:03:04Ma'am, when was the assignment given to him?
01:03:07Did he accept it wholeheartedly?
01:03:09Or did he have doubts that this would be a possible operation?
01:03:15Ma'am, I know General Torre during his younger years.
01:03:19I was with him in a unit in Kamkrame.
01:03:22Knowing his caliber, he's a professional.
01:03:25Although he was intrigued when he became the Quezon City business director.
01:03:31It was a record of an incident.
01:03:33When he was called and told that he would assume after the RD was relieved after the June 10 police operation,
01:03:44he accepted it wholeheartedly because he said that we were given an order and we will follow it.
01:03:50Okay. But to be honest, after the technical arrest,
01:03:54there was a lot of praise and applause and respect to General Torre and the PNP,
01:04:02the contingent that entered the KOJC.
01:04:05What is the feedback of the PNP?
01:04:07In terms of morale, you are probably boosted.
01:04:10Yes ma'am, the morale is very high.
01:04:12In terms of morale, I shared something on Sunday night when the plane took off.
01:04:20The video was sent to me.
01:04:22You can see that our policemen are happy, they are crying, they are hugging each other.
01:04:27They are mission accomplices.
01:04:29For 16 days, they stood their ground.
01:04:32They knew that their hardship paid off because they were there.
01:04:39They were already on the plane when we were looking for them.
01:04:42It's true what we're saying all along.
01:04:44Why did we stay there for so long?
01:04:47Because they believed in us.
01:04:48This is the motivation that the sector commanders and ground commanders are always telling them.
01:04:54Sir Torre, day one, Sir Torre did not release them.
01:04:58Their regional director was with them.
01:05:02When you see your leader, your commanding officer, with them, they are sweating, they are chasing each other.
01:05:11That's a morale booster.
01:05:13That's why when our president thanked us, he said this is police work at its best.
01:05:20That's great.
01:05:21It's great to remove all the fatigue of the police that were deployed there.
01:05:26Ma'am let's be clear, what was the role of ESOP, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces?
01:05:31Because what Atty. Ferdie Topacio said is that ESOP surrendered, not PNP.
01:05:36But there were police officers who were with those who were talked to surrender.
01:05:43Yes ma'am. When the ultimatum was given last Saturday, there was an exchange of communication between General Torre and Atty. Torre.
01:05:53ESOP was included because I understand that Atty. Torre has acquaintances with ESOP.
01:05:59They reached out and asked for help on how to arrange the surrender.
01:06:03That was precisely the reason why the 1 p.m. deadline of Sunday was extended because negotiation is ongoing.
01:06:11The PNP's ranking officer was present at the negotiation and of course, representative of ESOP.
01:06:17We can say that it's important that this is over regardless if ESOP was there from the start or ESOP entered on Sunday because they know each other.
01:06:30Just to establish confidence and trust to push through their intention to end this, regardless of their intention to end this.
01:06:41So Atty. Torre just dialed a friend to ESOP. Is that so?
01:06:45That's how it looks like ma'am.
01:06:47Their request is for ESOP to detain these five, Pastor Kibulay and the other four. Is that possible?
01:06:56ESOP doesn't want to. They said they don't have that facility.
01:07:00To be honest, do they have that kind of function? They are armed forces.
01:07:04The PNP is the one who has the mandate of public order and safety and these kinds of cases.
01:07:09You are the one who has the mandate.
01:07:11What is that? Can ESOP really detain them?
01:07:15The reason why they filed an urgent motion to transfer their custody to AFP, particularly to ESOP, is for security reasons and to take care of them.
01:07:26Accordingly, Pastor Kibulay had a health issue.
01:07:29What we're saying is, if it's security and security, the PNP can protect them.
01:07:35The PNP is inside the custodial facility inside Kamkrame. If there's a secure area in Kamkrame, it is the custodial facility.
01:07:45In terms of health concern, the PNP is inside Kamkrame, a few meters away. The PNP General Hospital is there.
01:07:53If there's a concern, which I understand, there are medical needs of Pastor Kibulay, they can provide medical attention if necessary.
01:08:05Can you tell us the conditions within the custodial center?
01:08:09Do they have separate cells? Do they have access to communication equipment?
01:08:16Do they have computers or laptops?
01:08:19What are the privileges and prohibited conditions of their detention?
01:08:26Our custodial facility is composed of different compounds.
01:08:31We have a maximum security compound and a medium security compound.
01:08:36They are now in the maximum security compound.
01:08:40This room is small.
01:08:42Pastor Kibulay has a separate room for the women in the detention cell.
01:08:49When you enter his cell, there's a bed and an electric pad.
01:08:55Their CR is not visible and it's open.
01:09:00They have access to air and all.
01:09:04It's prohibited.
01:09:05In fact, before they were put in the holding area, their belongings were inspected.
01:09:13They were allowed to enter their cell with their personal belongings, particularly their clothes.
01:09:22Even their maintenance medicine was allowed to enter.
01:09:27Cellphones, airpods, and gadgets are prohibited inside the cell.
01:09:33The President said that there is no special treatment.
01:09:36Is there no special request from Pastor Kibulay?
01:09:39Can you concede that they have a cell phone, laptop, or special visitor privileges, their KOGC officers?
01:09:49It's prohibited ma'am.
01:09:50In fact, even their lawyers, when they go there, they go through the inspection.
01:09:58Cellphones are also prohibited.
01:10:00When they enter the custodial facility and they are allowed to talk in their visiting area, they are not allowed to use cellphones.
01:10:10I would also like to mention ma'am, even our police officers who are detailed in the maximum security compound,
01:10:17which is near their cell, they are not allowed to bring cellphones there.
01:10:22Radio and TV are also prohibited? They have no access?
01:10:26Yes ma'am. It's also prohibited.
01:10:28Okay. Now allegations are being made that you, President Duterte said, will be charged with malicious mischief.
01:10:37The police and other officials are saying that there should be a case of obstruction of justice against KOGC officers.
01:10:47What is the situation? Are you filing suit against the KOGC leaders of obstruction of justice?
01:10:54Some were caught in the incident on the first day of the police entry in August.
01:11:01But what is the score? Will you be charged with obstruction of justice charges?
01:11:07There were cases filed against SILG, Chief PNP, General Torres and other PNP officers.
01:11:14I understand there were four cases filed against them.
01:11:18On the part of the PNP ma'am, we are in the process of documentation on who will be charged.
01:11:26Definitely, there should be an answer.
01:11:28Definitely, there is information that Pastor Quibulay and others intentionally and willingly and wittingly know.
01:11:37They harbored and concealed the location of Pastor Quibulay.
01:11:43But as to the names, we are waiting for the official to file a complaint by the PNP against the people who were identified.
01:11:50In our opinion, there is direct connection to the concealment of Pastor Quibulay.
01:11:57Now, there is a specific issue that was covered when Pastor Quibulay and his accomplice were first presented to the public.
01:12:07They were wearing face masks, helmets and other things.
01:12:12But now, you released the mugshots of the police.
01:12:16Why was the group of Pastor Quibulay covered in the first place?
01:12:24Now, you decided to hide it. Is there a privacy issue here?
01:12:30Yes ma'am. Let me explain. Sometimes we have to strike a balance between the interest of the public and the rights of an individual.
01:12:41This is not only limited in the case of Pastor Quibulay.
01:12:44The PNP just wants to be consistent. If you will notice, if we have individuals who are being arrested,
01:12:52when we release their mugshots, their faces are blurred.
01:12:58In fact, I saw that when I responded to the arrest of Alex Buo, their faces were blurred even compared to the ordinary civilians who were arrested.
01:13:09Specifically, they requested that if possible, they should be covered but if not, their faces should be covered.
01:13:16That's what the lawyer requested and they were given.
01:13:19Again, I said we have to balance. They were physically arrested, but again, we need to respect their right to say that they don't want to show their faces.
01:13:30Okay. But the mugshots that were released recently, actually it's in the newspapers now, the mugshots were not solarized. Their faces were not covered.
01:13:40Did that come from the PNP?
01:13:42For the record ma'am, it did not come from us. At least in our office, it did not come from us.
01:13:48The mugshots that were officially released were blurred. That's why I said we are just being consistent from the start.
01:13:55When we released the last ones, all of their faces were blurred.
01:14:00Actually, the principle of the law is innocent until proven guilty. They have the right to privacy or claim to privacy.
01:14:11But our problem is that these are public personages. These people are known and they appeared in public hearings or public events.
01:14:18How is the balance there? As a lawyer, do they have a claim to privacy?
01:14:23What you're saying is right ma'am. It's in the interest of the public.
01:14:27In the spirit of transparency, we released videos and photos that were blurred.
01:14:35I told you, while these are high-profile cases, we need to respect them.
01:14:44Sometimes, we have to strike a balance between the privacy of an individual and a case that the public should understand.
01:14:54There was a clamor to release those videos. I don't know the source of those mugshots.
01:15:02But then again, as the talking heads, one of the talking heads of the PNP, we released the videos that were blurred.
01:15:11This is just being consistent from the start. That's what we are releasing.
01:15:16Ma'am, on one topic, it looks like you're under deadline to President Marcos to close Pogo by the end of the year.
01:15:24But to be honest, what is the update? There are Pogos that are registered and have licenses of 40+.
01:15:31But to be honest, DILG said that there are 200-plus illegal Pogos that don't have licenses.
01:15:38What is the update? What is your target?
01:15:42Ma'am, regarding the legal internet gaming licenses that were given by Pagcor Anderson,
01:15:49Pagcor Anderson issued an order to the President to wind up their business by December.
01:15:55What we are targeting are the illegal Pogos.
01:15:59Our coordination with Pagcor and other agencies is continuous.
01:16:03Recently, we were raided in Subic.
01:16:07Our combined elements of PNP and PAOC were raided in other places.
01:16:14This is continuous, ma'am.
01:16:15We are saying that there are more or less 200 Pagcor licenses and the operation is continuous.
01:16:23The commitment of PNP is continuous and we need to help Pagcor.
01:16:28They are the only ones who can identify who were given licenses.
01:16:35But Colonel Gene, I think we have a problem that there are local protection networks, local officials,
01:16:45maybe some police officers.
01:16:47That's what they're saying, right?
01:16:49That's why the illegal Pogos still exist in the provinces and cities.
01:16:56Well, that's a possibility, ma'am.
01:16:59This is one of the challenges that we are facing.
01:17:12Look at the case that happened in Bamban, Tarlac.
01:17:15Alice Vu was arrested and the cases are ongoing.
01:17:19Look at the case of Pocac and Panga.
01:17:21We are saying that there is really a negligence on the part of the local chief executive.
01:17:26Why did they do that without their knowledge?
01:17:29These are the challenges that we are facing and possibly the involvement of the uniformed personnel,
01:17:35either from the PNP or other law enforcement agencies.
01:17:38But the important thing here is that the PNP is a professional.
01:17:45I always say that it's a professional.
01:17:47There are some who do bad things.
01:17:50There are some who protect illegal activities.
01:17:53This is not the norms of the whole organization.
01:17:56What the organization wants is really clean.
01:17:58We ourselves want our streets to be clean.
01:18:02Because if our people lose their trust in the PNP, where will they run to?
01:18:08That's what we don't want to happen.
01:18:11Our countrymen will be hopeless.
01:18:13Who will they run to if they don't trust their local police?
01:18:18But ma'am, is there a province or all provinces that has illegal fireworks?
01:18:23What is your information?
01:18:24Do you have a priority list of what should be the next step?
01:18:29Or where is the issue?
01:18:32What PAG-COR is saying is that the majority of internet gaming licenses are here in Metro Manila.
01:18:43They were given in 4A but not in Region 3.
01:18:47But in their previous licenses, ma'am, I understand that there are some in Region 3.
01:18:52True enough, there are some in Bamba and Porac.
01:18:55So there is our concentration.
01:18:57But as I said, we have to take our cue from the PAG-COR because they are the ones who know who were given.
01:19:03Since there is a declaration that fireworks are banned,
01:19:06what will happen is that the big fireworks will be split into small-scale operations, which happened ma'am.
01:19:14Just last week, ma'am, the CIDG caught a condo unit up and down.
01:19:22When they entered, there were many computers there.
01:19:24If you look at it from the outside, you won't think that there is a firework operation there.
01:19:29But when they entered, they caught many.
01:19:32They caught 18 Chinese who were rescued and the operators are foreign nationals.
01:19:38So this is the challenge ma'am.
01:19:40The big ones left their identified areas and moved to smaller areas.
01:19:45So we really need the cooperation of our citizens.
01:19:50If they notice that there are many foreign nationals in a particular house, in a particular condo or even apartment,
01:19:58they should inform us or their barangay to inspect and check if there are illegal operations happening in their area.
01:20:07So what you're saying is that the big illegal operations are now underground and the operations are chop-chop, so it's not obvious.
01:20:16There's also one in Cebu that was recently caught.
01:20:19In Calabar Zone, Region 4A, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon,
01:20:25outside Luzon, just like Cebu, there are also many illegal operations.
01:20:34Yes ma'am. We are validating that.
01:20:37We are happy with that coordination because they are now splitting up into small-scale operations.
01:20:42So those are the challenges that we are facing.
01:20:46This is what we call in the police parlance, guerrilla operations.
01:20:53The big operations are too obvious.
01:20:56Like the case of Cebu, it's just a hotel.
01:20:58Here in Subic, they are in a small condo or villa.
01:21:02Our concentration is there.
01:21:05Even though the PAGCOR is saying that the concentration is here in Metro Manila,
01:21:09but recent events would tell us that they are now breaking out into small-scale operations.
01:21:16It's not far that our neighbors may have big subdivisions.
01:21:21It's a possibility that they are also there.
01:21:23We are also asking for cooperation from our countrymen.
01:21:27If they notice anything unusual in their neighborhoods,
01:21:31in their neighboring houses,
01:21:33maybe they will take care of their neighborhoods.
01:21:37If we expect that there is nothing wrong,
01:21:41then it's good for them.
01:21:42They will have peace of mind that there is no crime happening in their area.
01:21:48Isn't this guerrilla operation anticipated?
01:21:52It looks like an underground operation, like a guerrilla operation.
01:21:58The question is, the deadline of President Marcos,
01:22:02there is no POGO.
01:22:04It's easy for the lawyer to fix it,
01:22:06but for the illegals, can they do it in December?
01:22:09Are we going to celebrate Christmas without POGO?
01:22:12They will force it.
01:22:13The PNP will do it.
01:22:15All resources can be poured there so that we can comply with the President's order
01:22:22that by December, we should not hear about any POGO-related operation,
01:22:28whether it's legal or illegal.
01:22:30That is the intention of the PNP.
01:22:31We will help all government agencies to end this POGO problem.
01:22:38It looks like you have a big problem.
01:22:41I don't know if this is really like the promises of the wedding,
01:22:47the last two weddings,
01:22:49that it will really happen.
01:22:51But if it's an illegal operation,
01:22:53doesn't it look like it will be very difficult for it to happen?
01:22:57Well, it's difficult in the sense that this is a challenge.
01:23:01As I said, maybe someone will protect us,
01:23:04but we should not be weak inside.
01:23:06We should not look at the aspect that it's difficult.
01:23:09We should look at the possibility.
01:23:11Possibility because with the help of our government agencies,
01:23:15with the help of our citizens,
01:23:16of course with the help of our colleagues in the media,
01:23:19we can help each other.
01:23:20What we always say is peace and order,
01:23:23the peace and order of our country,
01:23:27is not only the work of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
01:23:31All of us have something to do with it.
01:23:33That's why we should help each other.
01:23:34If we help each other, nothing is impossible.
01:23:37Okay.
01:23:38But we only have the last two questions.
01:23:40The filing of the Certificates of Candidacy is near.
01:23:42What is the estimate of the police?
01:23:44Is it less?
01:23:45Are there more possible areas of concern
01:23:48that the election will be near?
01:23:51Based on our experience with the PNP,
01:23:54if it's a local election, it's more intense.
01:23:58The political rivalry is more intense
01:24:00because there will be enemies there.
01:24:01There will be neighbors,
01:24:02there will be neighbors,
01:24:03there will be relatives.
01:24:05So the emotion is higher,
01:24:06unlike the national level elections.
01:24:09That's what the PNP is preparing.
01:24:12Of course, it's a local election.
01:24:14We will get instructions and guidance.
01:24:18But the part of the PNP,
01:24:19as early as this year and last year,
01:24:21we already prepared that.
01:24:22We already asked the ground commanders to identify
01:24:25who will be the enemies there.
01:24:28So that when we recommend to the local elections,
01:24:30that this particular barangay,
01:24:33this particular municipality will be included
01:24:36in the election areas of concern
01:24:38for the purposes of our deployment.
01:24:40Okay.
01:24:41They say it's like guns, goons, and gold
01:24:43when it comes to elections.
01:24:45But actually, drugs are included.
01:24:47What do you think is the situation?
01:24:49Are there many gangs that are not just simple drugs
01:24:52or illegal guns?
01:24:54And now, it's like pogo money.
01:24:57What is the impact of this on the upcoming elections?
01:25:00You know, it's not impossible
01:25:03that drugs will be used,
01:25:05some illegal activities will be used,
01:25:07even gambling and even pogo,
01:25:09as you mentioned,
01:25:10so that they can generate election funds.
01:25:13And that's what we will monitor.
01:25:15And we are still positive
01:25:17that if we help each other,
01:25:20we will be able to identify the source
01:25:22of their illegal campaign funds
01:25:24so that the narco-politics
01:25:28that we've heard before
01:25:29won't be able to reach those who have bad intentions
01:25:32and whose intention is just to get a position
01:25:35so that they can become richer
01:25:37or advance their personal interests.
01:25:40The most important thing is,
01:25:42as Filipinos,
01:25:43we should choose the right leaders
01:25:46from the barangay to the highest level.
01:25:48I think that's the most important thing.
01:25:50Okay, last question.
01:25:52It seems that there are more spokespersons
01:25:54of the police,
01:25:55armed forces,
01:25:57armed services,
01:25:58command,
01:25:59that are all women.
01:26:00It seems like you are the first ones there.
01:26:02It seems like you have a lot of sisterhood
01:26:04as spokespersons.
01:26:06Why are these women
01:26:07the ones being faced as spokespersons?
01:26:10First of all,
01:26:11I am thankful for the trust
01:26:13that our national police gave me.
01:26:15You are right,
01:26:16I am the first one to speak
01:26:19and this is my fifth PNP
01:26:21that I am serving.
01:26:23I have been a spokesperson for three years
01:26:26and I am thankful
01:26:28that I was the one
01:26:30who opened a small door
01:26:32for women
01:26:33to become spokespersons.
01:26:35What I see there
01:26:36is that the women's fight
01:26:38in all sectors
01:26:40has already reached a great extent.
01:26:43And now,
01:26:44in the uniformed service,
01:26:45the spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
01:26:48is also a woman.
01:26:49So we are happy
01:26:50that we were given a chance
01:26:52and hopefully,
01:26:53we will be a good example
01:26:54to show that we can do a lot.
01:26:56We can do a lot.
01:26:57Our being a woman
01:26:58is being valued now.
01:27:00Maybe our being a woman
01:27:02is the reason
01:27:03why we were given a chance
01:27:05to be in this position.
01:27:08Ma'am, thank you very much.
01:27:10Maybe next time,
01:27:11we should assign
01:27:12a row of spokespersons
01:27:14who are not in uniform.
01:27:16Those who are beautiful
01:27:21in their normal regular state.
01:27:23As women.
01:27:24Thank you, ma'am.
01:27:26Looking forward to it.