KOJC member dies as Davao police serve warrant vs. Quiboloy

The Davao regional police confirmed that a member of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) died amid the operation Saturday by hundreds of lawmen to serve an arrest warrant on evangelist Apollo Quiboloy at the religious group's compound.

According to a report by Jaycel Villacorte of GMA Super Radyo Davao, the Police Regional Office (PRO) XI said a male KOJC member passed away due to a heart attack.

He died as police were enforcing the warrant at KOJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City, the report added.

Davao City Police Office spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said the male KOJC member was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, according to a separate report by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao.

“Isa ang namatay talaga. Lima ang na-cardiac arrest. Yung apat ay buti naman, di namatay, pero serious condition sila. Lahat po ng injured, 16 po lahat,” said KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon in a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by Rgil Relator on Saturday.

(Only one person died. Five of them experienced cardiac arrest. The four others didn’t die, but are in serious condition. A total of 16 people were injured.)

The PRO XI extended their condolences, but reiterated that their operations had nothing to do with the incident.

They also denied using tear gas on the protesters.

“PRO 11 expresses deep condolences regarding [his] passing and emphasizes that the police were simply fulfilling their duty in executing the warrant of arrest for Pastor Quiboloy, who has been evading law enforcement. [His] death is not related to the ongoing implementation of the warrant of arrest,” the statement said.

Ambulances were providing assistance to an undetermined number of people at the site. Super Radyo Davao has asked authorities about the nature of the injuries and health concerns.

Police units from PRO XI, augmented by the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Civil Disturbance Management unit, have been deployed in the area since early morning to serve the warrant.

They entered the compound at around 5:27 a.m.

PNP Region XI director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said there are 42 buildings in the KOJC compound. One of the buildings is five hectares long.

"Nandito sa loob [si Quiboloy]. Hinahanap namin (Quiboloy is here inside. We are looking for him)," Torre said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

"Dalawang warrant of arrest ito sa mga kaso nila. Sa bawat warrant, tigli-lima sila... Kasama rin ang mga co-accused niya sa hinahanap natin," Torre said.

Dela Rey said the police will conduct a thorough search of the KOJC compound.

"Gusto rin namin na sa pagpapatupad namin ng batas ay walang masaktan," Dela Rey added.

Torreon told Super Radyo dzBB that he was shown the warrant of arrest, and that 2,000 policemen were deployed to search for his client.

The PNP attempted to serve a warrant of arrest last June 10 on Quiboloy in Davao City. Police used ladders then to enter the compound and this caused tension between police officers and KOJC missionaries who were waiting outside the compound.

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.

He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

Quiboloy has denied the charges. — with a report from Jiselle Anne Casucian/VDV/VBL, GMA Integrated News