A video recently shared by Gretchen Ho on social media has gone viral, shedding light on a troubling incident involving a Philippine National Police (PNP) helicopter. The footage, which was provided to Ho by the OneNewsPH team, shows the PNP Air Unit’s chopper being harassed by laser lights while conducting a monitoring activity around the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound.
The video captures the moment when the chopper, engaged in routine surveillance, was targeted by laser lights. The PNP has expressed grave concern over this, stating that laser lights can pose significant risks to air safety. According to experts, such lights can cause distraction, disorientation, and even incapacitation of the aircraft’s pilot, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences.
The PNP has accused some members of KOJC of being responsible for the incident. In a public statement, the police condemned the actions, emphasizing that this kind of interference with air navigation is both dangerous and illegal. The PNP cited Republic Act 9497, also known as the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008, which explicitly prohibits any interference with air navigation. The law states that individuals found guilty of such acts could face imprisonment or substantial fines.
KOJC Resident Minister Carlo Catiil responded to the allegations, acknowledging the tension among KOJC members during the incident. He claimed that the police helicopters were flying too low over the compound, which aggravated the situation. Catiil also criticized the PNP for what he described as the “use of excessive force” during their operations. He argued that the compound is home to many members, and they have no other place to go, making the situation even more distressing for those involved.
The video, which continues to circulate widely on social media, has sparked a heated debate online, with opinions divided on the actions of both the PNP and KOJC. While some netizens expressed outrage over the alleged harassment of the police chopper, others sympathized with the KOJC members, citing concerns about the PNP’s methods.
Our @onenewsph team received footage from the PNP Air Unit, where their chopper was being harassed by laser lights, while doing a monitoring activity around the KOJC compound.
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) August 29, 2024
Laser lights can cause distraction, disruption, disorientation to the aircraft’s pilot, or in severe… pic.twitter.com/pZRHmOguhc
As the incident gains more attention, both the PNP and KOJC are under scrutiny, with the public eagerly awaiting further developments and official statements from the authorities.