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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Senate justice panel probes KOJC 'tunnel'

Senate justice panel probes KOJC 'tunnel'

Published Sep 6, 2024 07:58 am

DAVAO CITY – Did the police really dig a tunnel inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound here?

This was one of the purposes of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights that conducted an inspection inside the compound on Friday morning, September 6, amid reports of human rights violations and tunnel excavations in the ongoing manhunt against KOJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy since August 24.

DELA ROSA INSPECTION.jpeg

SEN. Ronald dela Rosa conducts an inspection at the basement of Jose Maria College inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound prior to the hearing headed by the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on Friday, September 6. (Keith Bacongco)

Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Robinhood Padilla conducted the inspection in key areas where alleged desecration and diggings reportedly took place in the implementation of the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and his cohorts.

The inspection was conducted ahead of the Senate panel hearing on Friday afternoon.

Upon their arrival at 10:30 a.m., both senators, accompanied by KOJC lawyer Israelito Torreon, inspected the cathedral, the basement of the Jose Maria College (JMC), hangar, and the back gate of the compound.

At the basement, KOJC members discovered a suspicious area covered by piles of lumber, prompting Dela Rosa and Torreon to order personnel to clear the area.

About two meters away from the initial spot, consultants of the Office of the City Building Official tested a suspected spot apparently coated with suspected epoxy material.

But OCBO consultants, equipped with Ultrasonic Concrete Testing Equipment, redirected their testing on the spot where lumbers have been removed after KOJC members suspected that it is covered with fresh concrete.

After a few minutes of testing, the consultant of the OCBO disclosed that it showed 1,500 pounds per square inch (PSI), which, according to them, may have been done in about 36 hours.

After inspecting other areas, Dela Rosa requested OCBO representatives and KOJC engineering unit to dig through the suspicious spot.

The inspection was conducted after pictures and videos of police officers digging in one of the structures inside the 30-hectare compound went viral online.

Rumors circulated that police were actually digging for alleged gold treasure reportedly buried under the property.

But Police Regional Office-11 chief Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III dismissed the allegations. He said that the photos were manipulated using Adobe Photoshop.

Torre insisted that Quiboloy is hiding in one of the underground bunkers since August 24.

The PRO-11 chief said they are using a ground penetrating radar to track the movement of Quiboloy. But 14 days later, police have yet to find him.

Fresh concrete?

Two days before the inspection, a commotion between the police and KOJC members occurred when lawmen allegedly tried to sneak in bags of cement, sand, and stones.

KOJC members suspected that police will use the materials to cover the excavation at the basement of JMC.

During the inspection, Dela Rosa insisted to dig through the suspicious spot to see if the concrete was indeed fresh.

KOJC members utilized hand drills and jackhammers to bore holes through the concrete.

It took only a few seconds for the power tools to penetrate through the suspected fresh concrete pavement compared to the other parts of the basement.

Torreon posted in his Facebook account that there is overwhelming evidence that the police had indeed dug a tunnel at the basement.

The KOJC and police are still tangled in heated exchanges at the Senate hearing at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan building here as of posting time.

Related Tags

Sen. Ronald Bato dela Rosa Davao City KOJC Pastor Apollo Quiboloy
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