PNP nabs 18 Quiboloy supporters after heated dispersal
Police discovered the bunker where fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy may be hiding, but remained stumped as to where the entrance was within the almost 30-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City.
At least 18 KOJC members were arrested for refusing to disperse Monday afternoon despite three warnings given by the PNP-Police Regional Office 11 to leave peacefully – with the ultimatum issued at 2:45 p.m.
At least five cars, a wing van, two fire trucks, and two cranes were lined outside the gate of the KOJC-owned Jose Maria College, blocking a portion of Carlos P. Garcia Highway.
Reporters on site said the dispersal lasted for at least half an hour, with some Quiboloy supporters throwing foul-smelling liquid that appeared to be a mix of urine and feces at the police, MindaNews said.
KOJC lawyer Israelito Torreon said the arrested members of the religious group will be charged with “obstruction of justice.”
“When the arrests were conducted, I was not present. I was having a discussion with General Torre for possible diffusion of the tension, and this happened,” Torreon said, referring to PRO-11 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III
Torreon said he asked Torre to order his men to leave the KOJC property as the warrant of arrest they have already lapsed.
“Our stand is that it’s an arrest warrant. This is the first time in the history of the Republic of the Philippines that an arrest warrant is being served on the third day. They have already conducted the search on each and every inch of the property of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. And so we asked them to leave,” he said.
Torre, for his part, expressed confidence they are now close to capturing Quiboloy after the location of the bunker was known using a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) that detects heartbeat, movement, and heat signature.
“In a few hours, maybe, we will have a concrete result of the search because we are very confident with the results of the ground-penetrating radar and the only thing we are looking for is the entrance to the facility that is underground which is not what we see from outside,” he said.
PNP Region 11 spokesperson Maj. Catherine Dela Rey, for her part, said in a radio interview that Quiboloy’s followers, through broadcast network SMNI, caused widespread “chaos and panic” by spreading false and malicious information.
“They’re making it seem like the whole of Davao City will be protesting, but that’s not true. It’s only their members,” Dela Rey said.
Dela Rey also debunked SMNI’s claim that seven KOJC supporters died as a result of the ongoing police raid, noting that there was only one fatality – a 50-year-old male who died of a heart attack.
Senator Risa Hontiveros blamed Quiboloy for the death of his follower.
“This is all because of him,” Hontiveros said.
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking called on the PNP to continue searching for potential trafficking victims within KOJC after the police rescued on Sunday two church members who were being barred from leaving the compound.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla added: “I call for a stronger collaboration between and among the DOJ through the IACAT, the PNP, and the DSWD to ensure airtight cases against the perpetrators with the end view to delivering justice to their victims. Let us continue fighting this human trafficking menace which hounds society particularly the vulnerable sector.”
For its part, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said it was closely monitoring the Francisco Bangoy International Airport amid tensions in Davao City.
“We have now partially opened our exit gate to vehicular traffic as roadside barricades were removed and also due to improving the situation. We are, however, maintaining close watch,” said Airport Area Manager Rex Obcena.
