Media practitioners in Davao City who are keenly following developments on the case of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his five co-accused, cried foul after they were not informed over the arrest of suspect Paulene Canada, who was arrested at her residence ,n Emily Homes, Buhangin, Davao City, on Thursday.
The confusion started when a report came out that Canada was never detained at the Buhangin Police Station in Davao City contrary to reports, this after some reporters went to the station to get details.
The media asked Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) Spokesperson Major Catherine dela Rey in a Messenger group chat about the details of the arrest, why the Davao media was not informed, and why Canada was brought to Manila without communicating or letting her get her lawyer.
However, on Friday morning, Dela Rey said she was not allowed to give details but encouraged the members of the media to watch the live press briefing of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Marbil, and PRO 11 Director Brigadier General Nicholas Torre III.
Canada was presented during the press briefing.
A reporter from SMNI asked Torre why Canada was not detained at Buhangin Police Station and why she was denied the right to counsel.
Torre said the right place to bring her was at the regional office (PRO 11), which is less than two kilometers from where Canada was arrested.
“Kasi, idaan sana namin siya sa Buhangin Police Station for recording purposes at the end of the day doon na namin prinocess sa regional headquarters kasi nandoon ang ating facilities,” Torre said.
According to SMNI reporters in Davao City, Lawyer Israelito Torreon, legal counsel of Canada, went to PRO 11 to talk to Canada, however, was told that there was no operation or apprehension conducted.
Torre responded that he was not aware of what Torreon was talking about.
“I am not aware of that sa mga sinabi ni Torreon because I haven’t seen him since kami nag-usap sa Dusit Thani (Davao City) and I have requested him and he presented himself to be the lawyer of the fugitives kaya kinausap ko siya na sana tulungan niya ako na i-surrender na lang and he actually committed na tutulong then since then sa pagdating ko, one month later he never communicated with me until we arrested this person,” Torre said.
Torre added that he did not receive any request from Torreon.
“Kasi nagte-text ako sa kanya before, two or three weeks ago, he never responded to me and I thought na mali ang number na binigay niya sa akin. He only responded once nung after na pag-uusap namin and after that wala na siyang communication and kung nagte-text man siya sa akin, hindi ko na receive yun,” he said.
