Two members of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) were “rescued” from the KOJC compound in Davao City on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

They were reportedly rescued as policemen were scouring the compound for the second day to search for Quiboloy and arrest the pastor.

P/Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-11, said the two, a woman and a 20-year-old man, wanted to leave the compound but other KOJC members allegedly barred them from doing so. 

“Hindi sila pinapalabas ng mga members ng KOJC kaya po sila nagpa-rescue sa PNP… members po sila ng KOJC na gusto nang lumabas at umuwi pero ayaw po silang palabasin,” Dela Rey said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were brought in to assist in the rescue.

“Sila po ay nagpa-rescue sa Philippine National Police kaya po in-assist natin ang DSWD sa pag-rescue sa kanila,” Dela Rey said.

The woman is from Midsayap and her children reportedly requested that she be rescued from the compound. The man, meanwhile, is from Samar, and his family also reportedly wanted him out of the compound.

The two were brought to the DSWD regional office.

Dela Rey said they will get more details about the situation of the two at the compound.

In a separate interview, KOJC lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, belied allegations KOJC has barred the two members from leaving the compound. 

"You can see who prevents who. You can rightfully see, you use your camera, who is preventing who," Torreon said, pointing out that their vehicle, which was transporting food reportedly had difficulty entering the compound. 

"There is even a line of policemen here who are in front of the property... tingnan nyo 'yan, merong sasakyan na pagkain sana namin, mahirap nang makapasok... yun pang aming member? 'Yan ang masasabi ko na hindi talaga totoo," he said.

Police failed to locate Quiboloy on Day 1 of the operation on August 24.

The pastor 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.

Authorities have since urged him to surrender and are confident of information he is just hiding in the compound.

PRO-11 Director Nicolas Torre III has said the layout inside the compound had made it difficult for his men to navigate the property.

“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.