Education department laments City Hall delay on JCF case

Cebu Sun Star/February 11, 2005
By Adnila V. Adorador III

Another arrest warrant would be served on officials of the controversial Jesus Christ Followers (JCF) sometime soon.

Regional Director Jesus Taberdo of the Department of Education Region (DepEd) 10 said the warrant is in connection with the two criminal cases filed by their regional office last March 26, 2003.

This came about even as Taberdo even as he reiterated that the "JCF problem" turned worse due to the delayed action taken by the city police and the City Government.

In an interview Taberdo said the warrant may be served on Monday or earlier than that.

He said charges of serious public disturbance and grave oral defamation were slapped against the controversial group that stemmed from the November 28, 2002 incident.

"They held their demonstration that time here inside the office, shouting at us and hurting some of our staff," related Tabirdo.

He said the JCF was then demanding for the approval of the permit to operate as a learning institution.

"They wanted us to issue an instant permit, but we can't do that because they refuse to follow the guidelines of the DepEd," Taberdo said.

Taberdo related that in 2002, his office wrote a letter to the PNP and the City Government to enforce the closure order against the JCF school.

He said there is a tripartite agreement among the DepEd-10 office, the police and the City Government that provides for coordination among the three government agencies.

"The PNP's role is to enforce the law, while the local government is there to suport the PNP since the matter is under its area of jurisdiction. However we didn't see action on the PNP and local government's side," he said.

The city police and the JCF officials and students figured in a bloody clash at the group's compound in Lerio St., Barangay Carmen this city last Jan. 28.

Around 10 minor students of JCF were released from custody of the City Social Welfare and Development and the Commission on Human Rights.

The JCF administrators are required to post P12,000 each for bail for their temporary liberty which they have refused to pay.