Trillanes Reacts to Duterte’s Contradictory Statements on Arrest Warrants
UNGAS – Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV labeled former President Rodrigo Duterte a “fool” for his contradictory statements on arrest warrants.
On X, Trillanes shared a quote card featuring Duterte’s 2017 remark: “If I have to arrest you without a warrant, I will arrest you without a warrant, with or without martial law.” This statement was made during a press conference on July 21, 2017, in Davao City.
Duterte’s comments were made in response to the arrest warrant served to his friend, Apollo Quiboloy. Duterte criticized the operation, stating, “Our country has never been in a tragic state as it is. Rights have been trampled upon and our laws, derided.” He opposed the police raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound, which aimed to capture Quiboloy, who faces multiple charges.
Earlier, a major police operation took place at the KOJC compound in Davao City to search for Quiboloy and his associates. About 2,000 officers, led by Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, conducted a thorough search of the 30-hectare area, which includes the partially built King Dome stadium.
This search was executed under an arrest warrant for Quiboloy, who faces serious charges. Unlike a previous occasion where Quiboloy’s supporters used water cannons, this time the KOJC compound was opened to the police without resistance. There was a brief legal dispute with KOJC’s lawyer over the search’s legality, but it was resolved, allowing the operation to proceed.
To reduce conflict, the police employed motion detectors to try to locate Quiboloy. The complexity of the KOJC property, with its underground spaces and tunnels, presented significant challenges. Brigadier General Torre estimated that finding Quiboloy might take up to a month.
As of press time, former President Duterte has not yet reacted to the tirade of former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.