Eleven days into their operation to execute arrest warrants, the Davao regional police suspect that fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy is still within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
“Hanggang ngayon, naniniwala kami na nandyan siya. Tinatawanan kami. Sige lang. There is always time for everything. Darating at darating, mahuhuli rin natin yan. Just a matter of time,” said PRO 11 chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III during a press briefing.
(Until now, we believe he is there. He is laughing at us. Go ahead. There is always time for everything. But sooner or later, we will catch him. It’s just a matter of time.)
“Nandiyan siya sa loob at paikot-ikot lang dyan (He is inside the compound and just walking around there),” Torre continued.
Since August 24, police have been attempting to serve arrest warrants against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound, initially deploying around 2,000 officers.
However, KOJC legal counsel Israelito Torreon insisted on Tuesday that Quiboloy is not in the KOJC compound. Torreon also noted that an arrest warrant alone does not grant the authority to search the premises.
“Kung may arrest warrant ka, kailangan nakita mo ‘yung accussed na pumasok dun sa building. And of course, papasukin mo ‘yung building and then magpaalam ka, announce your authority,” Torreon stated in a press conference.
(If you have an arrest warrant, you must have seen the accused enter the building. And, of course, if you enter the building, ask permission and announce your authority.)
“Kung wala doon, hindi ka authorized ng batas na mag-conduct ng intrusive search. From Day 1, they have been conducting an intrusive search,” he added.
(If the subject is not there, you are not authorized by law to conduct an intrusive search. From Day 1, they have been conducting an intrusive search.)
Torre also mentioned that authorities discovered a room allegedly belonging to Quiboloy, surrounded by rooms occupied by women. He reported finding minor girls, aged 10 to 15, in the vicinity and said they are coordinating with appropriate agencies regarding the matter.
“Meron tayong nakita doon na isang section na ngayon ay atin namang kino-coordinate sa ating tamang ahensya. May mga menor tayong nakita… 10- to 15-year old,” Torre said.
(We saw a section there that wherein we saw minors… 10- to 15-year-old minors. We are now coordinating with the right agency on the matter.)
“Halos lahat ng building dyan ang mga nakatira ay mga babae. Si Apollo Quiboloy lang ang bukod tanging nakatira sa gitna ng mga babaeng ito,” he added.
(Women live in almost all the buildings. Apollo Quiboloy is the only one living amongst them.)
Torre explained that he deployed about 60 female police officers, supposedly at the request of the KOJC, to search the area. However, only 10 officers were allowed inside.
Torre also addressed concerns over alleged fake social media accounts and trolls sending threats to his family.
“Ang nakalulungkot dito pati ang pamilya namin ay dinadamay pati ang pamilya ko. Ang asawa ko at anak ko ay pinapaulanan ng hate messages at threats sa social media ng fake accounts at mga trolls. Kagabi ay may direktang death threats na sa aking mga anak,” Torre stated.
(It is sad that our families are being dragged into this, including my family. My wife and children are bombarded with hate messages and threats on social media by fake accounts and trolls. Last night, there were direct death threats to my children.)
Despite these threats, Torre affirmed that the police would continue their search for Quiboloy.
Arrest warrants have been issued against Quiboloy and others for alleged violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, as well as qualified human trafficking charges.
Quiboloy went into hiding shortly after the Senate issued an arrest order for his failure to attend hearings. He has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California on charges including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy’s representatives have consistently denied all allegations against him.