DAVAO CITY – Police on Sunday, August 25, failed to locate fugitive evangelist Apollo Quiboloy and four companions more than 24 hours since over 2,000 lawmen stormed the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound here on Saturday, August 24.
POLICE secure the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City on the second day of the search for wanted evangelist Apollo on August 25. (Keith Bacongco)
Police Regional Office-11 (Davao region) Director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said that they could not locate Quiboloy, whom he believes to be hiding in a secret room inside the 30-hectare compound using a heartbeat detector.
KOJC property hosts the Jose Maria Colleges, a church, Sonshine Media Network Inc. studio, a bible school, hangar, business establishments, and some sleeping quarters.
Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the police operation to serve warrants of arrest against Quiboloy and his colleagues, who are wanted for child and sexual abuse and human trafficking.
“I vehemently condemn the gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound earlier today, which led to the harassment of religious worshipers, the abuse of minors, and the unnecessary loss of life,” Duterte said in a statement.
“These acts are not only a blatant violation of constitutionally-protected rights but a betrayal of the trust that we, Filipinos, place in the very institution sworn to protect and serve us.”
Thousands of heavily armed police officers and anti-riot police units stormed the compound at Buhangin District.
A KOJC member died due to cardiac arrest and about 16 others were injured in a confrontation with police, said the group’s lawyer Israelito Torreon.
Torreon said that the man died after the police reportedly hurled tear gas inside the compound before they breached the gate at the back.
“Ang pagkakalam namin ang cause ay severe shock and 'yung tension kaya nagkaroon siya ng heart attack,” Torreon said. (What we know is that he suffered from heart attack due to tension and severe shock)
Police confirmed that one of Quiboloy’s follower died but denied that it was the result of the serving of arrest warrants.
PRO-11 spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said the victim died due to cardiac arrest and was declared dead on arrival at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here.
Dela Rey said that based on their investigation, the victim lacked sleep for several days while guarding KOJC watchtowers.
No letup
Torre said on Saturday night that there is no letup in the search against Quiboloy and his colleagues inside the compound.
He admitted that they used the heartbeat detector but only in limited areas.
"Kami sa loob nagkakawala-wala eh. Sa laki ng lugar, sa dami ng mga lusutan, kami mismo nagkakawala-wala. Kami nga, nagkakahiwa-hiwalay sa loob," Torre said. (We got lost inside. The place was so large we had difficulty finding our way in)
Torre also said that he received information that Quiboloy’s supporters will try to sneak him out.
He said that he could not yet say how long they will occupy the compound and denied that they will take over the property.
But Torre vowed that they will not leave the compound empty-handed.
Torreon questioned police presence inside the compound and said that they have apparently turned the place into a garrison.
He has asked the police to leave compound since their mission to serve the warrants of arrest was already over.
Torreon also said that he would confer with the KOJC legal team on their next move, particularly the death and injuries of members.
Police put up an advance command post in one of the entry points of the compound on Saturday.
POLICE secure the highway in front of the KOJC compound in Davao City on Sunday, August 25. (Keith Bacongco)
Torre said they will strictly monitor the movement of KOJC members in and out of the enclave.
On Saturday, Torreon tried to stop the entry of police when he argued with Torre and questioned the warrant of arrest presented by the police general.
Torreon pointed out before Torre that the warrant of arrest was against Sylvia Cemañes whose address was Pasig City.
Torre told Torreon to file his complaint before court because they will still enter the compound at all cost.
Twenty-four hours after the police entered the compound, SMNI circulated photos and videos of anti-riot police officers armed with shields and truncheons guarding some structures inside.
The anti-riot police unit is composed of personnel from the Caraga, Central Mindanao, and Northern Mindanao.
Police slept on the grassy gardens and pavements inside the compound.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, a close ally of Quiboloy, criticized the police operations at the property.
"Our country has never been in a more tragic state as it is today. Rights have been trampled upon and our laws, deride," he said in a statement on Saturday.
"We sympathize with the members of the KOJC for having become victims of political harassment, persecution, violence, and abuse of authority. This certainly puts a dark stain on the hands of those involved in today's incident, led by no less than the top police official of the region."
"We call on the remaining decent and patriotic members of our government not to allow themselves to be used and to be abusive and violent in enforcing illegal orders," he added.
"Again, let us ask this administration how it can guarantee the preservation of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even the most fundamental of these rights are being blatantly violated?"