Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon revealed on Saturday a raw intelligence information they received that there will reportedly be a media blackout and a possible police takeover of the KOJC compound after the 39th anniversary celebration of the religious organization on Sunday (September 1).
The media blackout, which appeared at the crawler of SMNI news, baffled media practitioners in Davao City.
Torreon emphasized that media blackout means the police would stop providing information to the media.
“The alleged media blackout would be done after the KOJC anniversary (after September 1). That was the information that reached us. SMNI probably aired out the media blackout information because of fear that this may be true. But the media blackout would not come from you but from the state authorities who will no longer feed information to you,” Torreon told the media in a press conference.
Torreon said according to intelligence or their sources, right after the KOJC anniversary there will be a takeover.
“I do hope that it is not true, that they will forcibly require us to leave the KOJC compound. This is raw intelligence. Some people within the government are helping us. I even have to filter the information. There are friends within the PNP, active PNP personnel, who are likewise giving us information. Even within the circle of Gen. Torre, because some policemen are good men, not all policemen are abusive and they do not like what is happening now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Torreon said he discussed with Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) the importance of September 1 to the KOJC members.
Torreon did not give the number of members and guests that will arrive to celebrate, however, it will be a good number of guests and members coming from outside Davao City.
“We pressed upon Torre that tomorrow (Sept.1) is one of the most important celebrations of the KOJC and we requested him to please allow us to use the cathedral, to use the Jose Maria College facilities because several members from all over the world would like to enjoy the day because that is a very important day in accordance with their religious belief,” he said.
Torreon said he was told by Torre that it is beyond him but he will try his best to inform his higher-ups about the matter.
“In fairness to him, he instructed Davao City Police Office (DCPO) acting City Director Col. Hansel Marantan to coordinate with me and discuss the details. I have yet to know whether or not they will get out of the property or they will install some measures such that the exercise of the religious rites of my clients would go unhindered because it is really primordial that the religious rites of my clients should be respected. There is no dangerous tendency that the exercise would lead to the breakdown of public order and therefore there is no need for the police to interfere there is likewise no clear and present danger that the exercise of their religious rites would disturb the peace of the society as a matter of fact it would contribute to the healthy environment of our society,” he said.
Torreon said they are supposed to use the Jose Maria College (JMC) dormitory for guests and will negotiate with Marantan for his clients to use the cathedral.
“Aalis sila at tatanggalin nila ang mining equipment nila, sana naman may good manners and right conduct sila (PNP) na linisin ang lugar para magamit bukas. Note that the lawns and the gardens of KOJC are all occupied by policemen. They are making it their boarding houses, some are using the rooms of JMC and even some of the private quarters are likewise occupied. They are using our restrooms, and using our other faciltiies. They have turned the KOJC cathedral into their command center,” Torreon said.
