THOUSANDS of members from Philippine National Police stormed the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City on Saturday morning, in a bid to serve the arrest warrant against fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
The police force came from the PNP Regional Office XI (PRO 11).
Social media posts confirmed the presence of the PNP at the entrance of the KOJC compound in the Buhangin District.
They were in place before dawn, surprising many of the followers of Quiboloy.
PNP Region XI director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III in a later interview aired over DZBB radio said that they plan to force their way into the compound.
Police then entered the compound at around 5:27 a.m.
PRO 11 said 2,000 cops from PRO 10, 11, 12, and 13 were deployed for the operation.
Torre had confirmed that Quiboloy in inside the compound.
“Nandito sa loob [si Quiboloy]. Hinahanap namin,” Torre said during the radio interview.
“Dalawang warrant of arrest ito sa mga kaso nila. Sa bawat warrant, tigli-lima sila… Kasama rin ang mga co-accused niya sa hinahanap natin,” Torre added.
As of presstime, the security has been tight and only KOJC members were allowed to leave the compound if they want.
More personnel from the PNP Civil Disturbance Management came in and placed themselves at the compound entrance.
“Sana sumurrender na siya (Quiboloy). Makikita at makikita rin siya. It’s just a matter of time. Pahihirapan pa niya supporters niya,” he added.
According to Torre, there are 42 buildings in the KOJC compound.
However, one of the buildings is five hectares long.
Meanwhile, Davao City Police Office spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey was quoted as saying that they would conduct a “thorough search.”
“Gusto rin namin na sa pagpapatupad namin ng batas ay walang masaktan,” dela Rey added.
On the other hand, Atty. Israelito Torreon, one of the lawyers of Quiboloy, complained that police showed him the alias warrant of arrest when they arrived at around 3:45 a.m.
“Ipinakita sa akin ang alias warrant of arrest sa RTC Quezon City. Ang ginawa nila ngayon, ang dami nila (pulisya), mga 2,000 sila, ongoing ang search nila,” Torreon said.
Asked if Quiboloy is in the KOJC compound, Torreon said, “Wala pa silang nakita rito, despite the fact that more than an hour na sila nagse-search dito.”
Torreon accused the police of destroying the gate and using tear gas even while he was still talking to the police at the front of the compound.
“Habang nakikipag-usap siya (Torre) sa amin sa harap, warrant of arrest lang pinakita niya, pumasok na pala sa likod ‘yung kanyang ibang mga tao… Nagkaroon ng tensiyon kasi while they were giving us around 30 minutes e du’n sa harapan, e may pumasok na du’n sa likod at giniba ‘yung portion ng gate at nag-tear gas,” the lawyer said.
Torreon said he saw two KOJC members who fainted and were being given medical attention near the cathedral.
“May nakita ako mismo na dalawang tao from KOJC at binibigyan sila ng medical attention doon sa may cathedral ng KOJC…May mga na-heart attack. At kanina, may narinig ako, hindi ko pa confirmed, mayroon ata daw dalawang namatay. And I am still confirming the news po,” he said.
Meanwhile, Torreon said Quiboloy’s lawyers will insist of their client’s rights.
“Of course we will assert the rights of our client. Pang-ilan na nila itong tangkang service ng warrant of arrest na ito. Inexplain namin na sana mayroon na sanang certification ang NBI na na-serve na nila ‘yung warrant of arrest pati ‘yung alias warrant of arrest,” he said.
“Pero sabi kasi ni Gen. Torre na hindi ito ang panahon o lugar na makipag-debate siya as to whether or not the warrant of arrest has been served. Ang sabi niya, whether we like it or not, ise-serve daw nila ang warrant of arrest. ‘Di na kami nakipag-away eh kasi masyado siyang determined to serve the warrant,” he added.
The PNP had attempted on June 10, 2024 to serve the warrant in Davao City.
Police used ladders then to enter the compound and this caused tension between police officers and KOJC missionaries who were waiting outside the compound.
The KOJC members stressed that the move was meant to intimidate and coerce Quiboloy.
Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.
Also, Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.
Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. told Quiboloy last July to answer the accusations hurled against him.
A reward of P10 million had been dangled for any information that will lead to the KOJC leader’s arrest.
