There should be no more reason for the police to stay at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound after they failed to locate Pastor Apollo Quiboloy after hours of searching.

This is according to KOJC lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, as he asked the police to leave the compound afternoon on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 were deployed to the compound on Saturday, August 24. They did not find the pastor after searching for at least 16 hours.

“I would like to request them formally again that they leave the premises knowing that the search has already been done. Note that the search was even supposedly illegal but we just allowed it to prevent bloodshed,” Torreon said.

Torreon said they were only given 30 minutes to open the compound gate but pointed out, “Prior to the lapse of 30 minutes, you know that some of his men already breached the walls, destroyed the walls in the southern portion, back portion, and the eastern portion of the compound, and utilized tear gas against members of KOJC.”

He said several members have suffered from severe anxiety attacks with 16 injured. One has passed away.

He said cops have slept at the compound grounds and used the restrooms.

“The restrooms have become very smelly,” he said.

“I think, any private person, if he is the owner of the property, can likewise insist as who will be allowed to enter the said property,” Torreon pointed out.

He said that afternoon on August 25, 2024, KOJC Executive Pastor, Pastor Marlon Jacobo, and companions, all members of KOJC, were allegedly prevented from entering the compound.

Even Torreon’s associate reportedly had difficulty entering the compound.

“Please respect the rights, the ownership rights and the privacy rights of the members of KOJC,” the lawyer said.

Torreon said they could not file pleadings in court against the operation because the service of the warrant was filed on a long weekend.

“Kung sino mang nagplano nito, salamat po. Magaling po pagka-plano. Wala kaming magawa mga abogado,” he said.

He apologized to the members of KOJC because he could not do anything to stop the police.

“I would extend my apologies to the members of the KOJC kasi si Atty. Torreon walang magawa. Tao lang po ako, wala naman akong armas. But, legally, there will be a time for reconning and we can always file appropriate pleadings in court, we can always do our jobs as lawyers,” he said.

He said some members of KOJC has started to lose hope because of what happened at the compound.

“Some members really have lost hope because of what is happening today. We could not really stomach other persons insulting the Holy grounds of KOJC,” he added.