Two alleged trafficking victims rescued at KOJC compound

Authorities on Sunday rescued two alleged human trafficking victims at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City amid the police operation to serve an arrest warrant against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In Christian Maño's Super Radyo dzBB report, the Philippine National  Police Women and Children Protection Desk and the Department of  Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 11 carried out the rescue operation.

In a subsequent dzBB report, PNP Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Police  Major Catherine dela Rey said the alleged victims were a 21-year-old male from Samar and a female from Cotabato's Midsayap town.

Dela Rey explained that the two alleged victims were rescued after they and their relatives had sought help from the police.

The PRO 11 spokesperson added that the two rescued individuals wanted to leave the KOJC compound but were supposedly being prevented from doing so.

Meanwhile, KOJC legal counsel Atty.  Israelito Torreon denied allegations that the KOJC was involved in human trafficking.

PRO 11 units trooped to the KOJC compound in Davao City on Saturday morning to serve an arrest warrant on KOJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

Torreon called on the police to “stop the harassment” as they did not have a search warrant to stay in the KOJC compound. 

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

He also faces 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 filed against him. — DVM, GMA Integrated News