NOT even a temporary protective order from a local court would compel the Philippine National Police (PNP) to abort its mission — to extract fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Instead of leaving the KOJC Compound, PNP is sending more troops from three other regional offices in Mindanao to help locate the televangelist inside the massive property in Buhangin District, Davao City.
According to Brig. General Roderick Alba, in his capacity as Directorate for Police Community Relations chief and spokesperson of the Special Task Group Davao, 2,000 officers from Davao Region police were not enough to cover the 30-hectare compound where Quiboloy is believed to be seeking refuge.
“Because PRO 11 hindi enough yung resources nila in terms of human and material resources, considering high profile itong case na ito involving the leader of a big group itong church na ito. It really needs support from other units at napakalaking area po ito,” said Alba who described the compound as “so much bigger than the Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Mas malaki pa sa Camp Crame, actually. It’s approximately 32 hectares so the 2,000 personnel na dineploy in fact not that enough kung sa tingin ko lang because talagang tinitingnan bawat area talaga and police officers are also human beings,” he added.
“They need to rest and sleep also so dapat nagrerelyebo tayo. So we need support from other PNP units.”
He further noted difficulties of the search amid the complexity of the structures, which according to previous reports include three-level basements, bunkers and labyrinths – on top of the resistance of KOJC members.
“I would like to appeal especially sa members ng KOJC we are not after you. We are not after (the) church, your beliefs or mga churchgoers or mga sympathizers. We are after persons with existing WOAs issued by a court. Kailangan natin i-implement natin ito at sana we need cooperation and support and perhaps help the PNP na matapos na rin ito sana sa madaling panahon,” he said.
Sometime in 2021, the US Justice Department filed charges against Quiboloy for sex-trafficking of girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals”, who were allegedly required to have sex with him.
In the Philippines, the Department of Justice in June also pressed charges against the the 74-year-old Quiboloy with sexual abuse.
Known for being “extremely close” to the Duterte family, Quiboloy also served as the Presidential Spiritual Adviser during the previous administration. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
