Hundreds of policemen enter the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City to implemen the arrest warrant against the religious group leader, Apollo Quiboloy, who was charged with cases relating to human trafficking and child abuse. (Keith Bacongco)
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy should exercise the high moral ground by facing his accusers in courts, a police official said amid the ongoing implementation of an arrest warrant inside the 30-hectare property of the religious group in Davao City.
And for the Philippine National Police (PNP), surrendering and facing the charges slapped against Quiboloy is the only way to prevent any untoward incident that may happen along the way as it insists that it will not stop until the religious group leader is arrested.
Quiboloy is facing offenses relating to human trafficking and child abuse and PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said those are not petty crimes as they are all non-bailable offenses.
“These are not simple cases. These are cases involving alleged abuse of minors who said that they were raped and abused by Pastor Quiboloy,” said Fajardo in an interview over dzBB.
Around 3,000 policemen trooped to the KOJC compound in Davao City to implement the arrest warrant, led by Davao Regional Police director Brig. Gen. Nicanor Torre who was quoted earlier that they have reliable information that Quiboloy has been hiding inside the KOJC compound.
At least one supporter of Quiboloy died during the incident and several others were injured as the PNP said that the KOJC members have been defiant and even bullying the police forces.
Fajardo justified the deployment of thousands of policemen at the KOJC compound, saying any attempt to serve the arrest warrant using a handful of policemen would not work due to the presence of hundreds of Quiboloy supporters inside.
Torre was earlier quoted saying that the first attempt to go inside the KOJC compound failed as policemen were even subjected to water cannons by Quiboloy supporters.
In the second attempt that started early Saturday morning, Fajardo said policemen were subjected to insults and harsh words by Quiboloy supporters.
“There was a strong resistance from his followers. There is really an attempt to delay the movements of the PNP,” said Fajardo.
Spare your supporters
As the PNP had been insisting that they would not leave the KOJC compound until it was thoroughly searched, Fajardo urged Quiboloy to surrender instead.
“We continue to appeal to Pastor Quiboloy to spare his supporters, spare them of the emotional heartaches. We are not after any religious group or religious freedom here, this is an implementation of a warrant of arrest,” said Fajardo.
“Pastor Quiboloy should exercise moral high ground to face his accuser in the proper forum,” she added.
Fajardo said even PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has already given his assurance to secure Quiboloy in response to the statement of a KOJC officer that Quiboloy was ready to face his accusers only if the government would assure his safety.
Resumption
The search inside the KOJC property is expected to resume on Sunday, according to Fajardo.
“Hopefully, we are praying that there will be a positive development today,” said Fajardo.
She said there is no deadline for the search since the objective is to search all the areas inside the KOJC compound.
This means that policemen will stay inside the KOJC compound and Fajardo said part of the preparations is to replace the policemen who have already rendered 24-hour duty.
“We are prepared for the long haul,” said Fajardo.