The search for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City resumed for the second day on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

The day before, after 16 hours of searching, policemen failed to locate him and his co-accused.

On Day 2, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 said it will search for hidden compartments in the compound.

PRO-11 Director Nicolas Torre III said after the Day 1 operation that the layout inside the compound had made it difficult for his men to navigate. There are reportedly many entry and exit points that it was easy to get lost.

“Sa laki ng lugar, sa dami ng lusutan, kami mismo nagkakawala-wala… hindi naman alam talaga ang layout ng lugar… we could only do so much,” he said.

Torre has said they will not leave the compound until they arrest Quiboloy. He said that the pastor in just hiding there.

“May mga informants kami dyan sa loob. Hindi lang talaga namin makita kasi ang ganda ng movements nila dyan sa loob,” he said earlier.

He also said earlier that how the operation will lend will depend largely on the pastor.

He said there should be no reason for Quiboloy to be afraid to surrender because it was him who said that his case is weak. He also has a battery of lawyers to defend him.

Quiboloy is facing charges for alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. His co-accused are also facing charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

DUTERTE STATEMENT

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte issued a statement on August 25 condemning the police operation at the KOJC compound.

Her statement reads in full:

“Mga kababayan,

Hindi ko tinututulan ang implementasyon ng anumang warrant of arrest na naaayon sa batas. Ngunit kailanman ay hindi katanggap-tanggap ang paggamit ng dahas laban sa mga inosenteng mamamayan at mga deboto ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

I vehemently condemn the gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound earlier today, which led to the harassment of religious worshipers, the abuse of minors, and the unnecessary loss of life.

These acts are not only a blatant violation of Constitutionally-protected rights but a betrayal of the trust that we, Filipinos, place in the very institution sworn to protect and serve us.

Hindi ko rin maiwasang matanong sa sarili kung ang paggamit ba ng di pangkaraniwang pwersa at di makatarungang pang-aabuso sa ordinaryong Pilipino, upang maipatupad ang naturang warrant of arrest, ay dahil sa ang akusado ay isang kilalang Duterte-supporter.

Kaya nais ko ring humingi ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng miyembro, deboto at bumubuo ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, sa paghikayat at pakiusap ko sa inyong iboto si Bongbong Marcos Jr. noong 2022. Nawa'y mapatawad ninyo ako.

You deserve better.

Filipinos deserve better.

Shukran.”