PNP to dig in at compound until fugitive pastor found
Some 2,000 policemen trooped to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City early Saturday morning in a bid to arrest fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Philippine National Police officers, however, failed to implement the non-bailable arrest warrant.
A 50-year-old male KOJC member also suffered a heart attack during the operation and died.
Despite failing to apprehend Quiboloy, Police Regional Office 11 Director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said they will not leave KOJC until the pastor is arrested.
“(Quiboloy) is there — they are hiding him. We will not leave until we get him or his companions,” Torre said.
“This is an arrest warrant that we are implementing against a person who faces loathsome cases — human trafficking, child abuse,” he added.
Torre said police personnel have searched a third of the area as of 1 p.m. Saturday.
Earlier, Torre told the Senate committee on dangerous drugs and public order that capturing Quiboloy would be difficult due to the extensive and complex layout of the KOJC property, which includes underground spaces and tunnels.
The property features the partially completed “King Dome,” a large stadium, a hangar, and a taxiway leading to Davao’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport, along with 42 known structures. Nearby is Quiboloy’s school, Jose Maria College (JMC).
Police on Saturday deployed motion detectors for the search operation, and unlike during the June 10 attempt where Quiboloy’s followers resisted with water cannons, the KOJC allowed police entry without resistance.
Quiboloy’s lawyer Israelite Torreon on Saturday afternoon appealed to the police to “stop their harassment” and leave the KOJC compound.
“The warrant of arrest is not a license to do this continuous harassment against the accused. That’s our stand,” Torreon said.
Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge before a Pasig court. He was also charged for violating Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is administrator of KOJC’s properties, has yet to comment on the raid.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa arrived at the KOJC compound Saturday afternoon and called on the police to leave the compound once they are done with their search.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “PNP moves to arrest Quiboloy at Davao City KOJC compound”
