Police forces will continue to search the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City to locate and serve the arrest warrant against the group’s leader Apollo Quiboloy despite the Temporary Protection Order issued by the local court.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. explained that what Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Presiding Judge Mario Duaves has ordered in the Temporary Protection Order it issued on Tuesday, Aug. 27, was for the removal of all forms of barricades, barriers or blockade that prevents KOJC members access to the compound.

“What the order stated is to remove all forms of barricades, barriers or blockade that bar the access to and from the subject compound and hinder petitioner’s religious and academic property rights and the pursuit thereof by its officers and members within the surrounding premises,” said Abalos in a phone interview with reporters.

“But it did not specifically say that the police must stop the operation. This will continue and I guarantee that this operation to find Pastor Quiboloy will continue,” added Abalos, who is a lawyer.

On Tuesday, KOJC members started celebrating after receiving reports of the issuance of the court order directed to Abalos and officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The court order was interpreted by KOJC members to mean that policemen must leave the compound.

But for Abalos, the court order is clear that what should be removed are the barricades and not the police forces who are continuously searching for Quiboloy.

“Walang ganun (There’s no such thing),” said Abalos when asked to comment on the interpretation of the KOJC members on the court order.

“As far as I am concerned, that is my interpretation—that the PNP (Region 11) is hereby ordered to remove all forms of barricades, barriers or blockade,” he added.

As such, Abalos said the PNP will comply with order—but only on the aspect of removing the barricades as ordered by the court.

Only a matter of time

Abalos said they continue to receive positive developments in so far as the operation to arrest Quiboloy is concerned.

“What I can say is that there is a good development. I am sorry but I cannot specify what the police are doing but the goal of finding Quiboloy is near,” said Abalos.

Police are now trying to locate the entrance of the bunker inside the KOJC compound where Quiboloy is believed to be hiding.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the latest report from the ground penetrating radar disclosed two heartbeats inside the bunker which is believed to be around 20 to 30 meters below the ground.

“There are signs of life based on the ground penetrating radar,” said Fajardo, who said she personally saw two heartbeats.

For how long?

Earlier, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte asked the PNP as to how long it intends to stay at the KOJC compound, as he emphasized that the police operations are already disrupting the normalcy in the area.

Fajardo said that for as long as it is needed, the policemen searching for Quiboloy will stay at the KOJC compound.

“Until such time we are satisfied in the search because there are informants saying that he (Quiboloy is there), and we are really monitoring the movement that our equipment is detecting underground,” said Fajardo.