KOJC minister denies 'secret hallways' in compound cathedral

A Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) minister on Friday morning denied the existence of supposed "secret hallways" found by authorities inside their compound's cathedral in Davao City.

"Sa cathderal daw may nadiskubre na lagusan, na pag, secret of passage. Pag ganyan mo maganda na lounge. Hindi po, kabit lang po yun sir, cathedral eto sir, wall yan, stage, backstage po yan, pahingahan. Then papasok ka dito, yan na po yung stage namin for service of worship," KOJC Minister Carlo Catiil said in a report by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao's Kent Abrigana.

"Hindi po yun, wala pong lagusan diyan sir. Dinugtong lang po yung picture. Ibang picture po yung ginamit, sino po yung fake news? Ibang picture ginamit, basement po yun at dinugtong yung maganda po na lounge. At ito na, sir parang pangit po sir,"  he added.

The KOJC Minister also defended the "luxurious" design of the rooms found by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"They inject something to feed the people na 'tingnan niyo, ang ganda-ganda ang garbo-garbo.' Bakit? Bawal ba kaming magpaganda ng aming lugar, sir? Ganun na ba tayo?" the KOJC minister said.

"Kung makita na maganda ang lugar namin, 'luxurious.' Bakit? Bawal ba magpaganda? Ano gusto niyo sa amin, mag-squatter? Ano gusto niyo sa amin? Mga dugyot na pangit?" he added.

Catiil underscored that the funds used for the construction of the structures are from the contributions of KOJC members.

"Not a single property, nakapangalan kay Pastor (Apollo Quiboloy). Nakapangalan po yan sa Kingdom of Jesus (Christ), ibig sabihin niyan na kami, lahat ng membership ang may-ari sir."

Earlier, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the intricate design of the structure is making it more difficult for the police to find Quiboloy, who is wanted for qualified human trafficking and child abuse.

"Napakahirap sa totoo lang. In fact, kinukuha natin ang plano mismo nito sa office ng engineering ng city ng Davao kung ito ay nakadeklara o hindi," Abalos said.

"Kasi kung hindi nakadeklara ito, it’s a violation. Kapag hindi naka-deklara lahat ng intricate things na ginawa at binuo na puwedeng pagtaguan,” he added. — BAP/ VAL, GMA Integrated News