Davao cops appeal for peaceful search for Quiboloy: ‘Hindi kami ang kalaban’

The Davao City police on Sunday called on members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) to no longer resist and just allow authorities to peacefully search for their leader, Apollo Quiboloy.

Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) public information office chief Police Major Catherine dela Rey said they are hoping to be able to serve the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy again soon without any resistance from his supporters, similar to what the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) performed recently.

“Hopefully, sa susunod na mag-implement kami ng warrant of arrest, peaceful naman kaming papasukin kasi wala naman kasi kaming ibang purpose doon kundi mag-serve ng warrant of arrest. Ginagawa lang namin ang trabaho namin, ‘yung utos ng korte,” she said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(Hopefully, the next time we implement an arrest warrant, we will be allowed to enter the premises peacefully because we have no other purpose there but to serve the arrest warrant. We are just doing our duty and following the order of the court.)

The KOJC earlier said it will stand its ground in case the Philippine National Police (PNP) serves another warrant of arrest against Quiboloy inside its property.

It could be recalled that tensions rose between KOJC followers and police officers on June 10 when the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIG) served the arrest warrant against the religious leader.

They KOJC members argued that the move was meant to intimidate and coerce Quiboloy, who 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.

Dela Rey maintained the police meant no harm to civilians and they are just abiding by the order of the court.

“Sa mga supporters and followers, wala kaming ibang pakay doon kundi to serve the warrant of arrest. Hindi din kayo iha-harass. Sana maintindihan niyo na kung wala namang order ang court sa amin na i-implement ang warrant of arrest, hindi din kami pupunta diyan,” she said.

(To the supporters and followers, we have no other purpose there than to serve the warrant of arrest. You will not be harassed. I hope you understand that if the court does not order us to implement the warrant of arrest, we will not go there either.)

“Hindi kami ang inyong kalaban, hindi kami ang nagsampa ng kaso. Taga-implement lang kami ng order ng court,” she added.

(We are not your enemy, we are not the ones who filed the case. We are only implementers of the court order.)

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Region 11 on Friday, August 9, served another warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and other co-accused at the KOJC compound.

Authorities looked into the underground portion of the KOJC compound, which is still under construction, but they did not see Quiboloy or any of the other co-accused. 

Dela Rey said that more personnel are needed to look for Quiboloy, who might just be hiding in another area within the 30-hectare KOJC property.

“Doon sa pagpasok ng NBI, isang area lang ang tinignan nila... 'yung may dome. Pero ang whole compound ay composed ng maraming mga…structures. Kung isang area lang ang pinuntahan, hindi nila na-check ang buong ano, baka doon nagtago sa ibang building si Quiboloy,” she said.

(The NBI only looked at one area, the part with the dome. But the whole compound is composed of many structures. If they only went to one area, they weren’t able to check the other buildings where Quiboloy might be hiding.)

“'Yun ang sinasabi ng regional director natin sa Senate hearing na need ng maraming personnel para halughugin ang buong lugar dahil din sa laki,” she continued.

(Our regional director said in a Senate hearing that more personnel are needed to search the entire area because of its huge size.)

Citing indicators and informants, PRO 11 chief Police Brigadier Nicolas Torre III earlier said that Quiboloy was just staying inside the KOJC compound in Davao City amid an arrest warrant against him.

Within the compound is a 77,000-seater dome which is four times bigger than Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, according to Torre. It also has a hangar, four helicopters, and two airplanes.

Support for Torre

Meanwhile, a group of alumni from the PNP Academy on Sunday showed support for Torre, who allegedly is being “bullied and mistreated” by a certain politician from Davao City.

“It has come to our attention that Sir Nick has been subjected to bullying and mistreatment by a powerful politician in Davao City, and we want him to know that such behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our community,” the Lakan Community said in a statement.

“We are deeply troubled by the actions of the politician and we should assure our Lakan brother that we fully support him in standing up against this injustice,” it added.

The Lakan Community said it will stand by Torre’s side during this situation and will advocate for justice on his behalf.

“Together, we condemn all forms of bullying, harassment, and abuse, and we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can feel respected and supported.”—RF, GMA Integrated News