PNP cordons KOJC cathedral on group's anniversary

The Philippine National Police cordoned off the cathedral at the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City at dawn on September 1, 2024, the day the group celebrates its 39th anniversary.

A yellow police line was put in place.

KOJC lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, told GMA Regional TV One Mindanao that the PNP did not allow the group to use the cathedral for its anniversary.

“The PNP refused my client's request to use the KOJC Cathedral so they will just use, instead, the front portion of the KINGDOME per PNP’s instructions,” Torreon said.

Nine days into the service of the warrant against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the KOJC compound, Torreon said it seems that the PNP has taken control over the cathedral despite the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) issued by the court. 

“They are controlling and occupying the KOJC Cathedral, hence, we have to deal with them,” Torreon said.

The PNP is yet to issue a statement on this matter, as of this writing.

Torreon said earlier he would speak with Davao City Police Director, Col. Hansel Marantan, for the use of the cathedral for the anniversary.

Alleged grenade

Meanwhile, the police said it is investigating reports that one of its men allegedly tried to sneak a canned grenade into the KOJC compound.

“There was a canned grenade that was attempted to be introduced into the compound but was prevented by KOJC’s vigilant members and Atty. Adam Jambangan,” Torreon said.

P/Lt. Col. Jerick Filosofo, spokesperson of Special Task Group Teknon Alpha, issued a statement earlier on items being brought into the compound, some of which were made to pass through a scanner.

"This is a legitimate police operation, there is a necessity in this case yung mga troops on the ground that meron tayong operational secrecy, to protect the integrity of the operations to protect the secrecy of the operations, there is a certain level of secrecy of the operations,” Filosofo said. —GMA Regional TV News