Duterte supporters and members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ hold a protest at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on August 26, 2024 in support of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Dozens of members and supporters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious group held a protest at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to denounce what they claim are illegal operations against the group by the Philippine National Police in Davao City.

They claimed that the police manhunt against their fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy is an overkill and should be stopped. 

Among those who attended the protest are former Duterte administration spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque and former Usec. Lorraine Badoy, Sandra Cam, Glen Chong, among others.

The protesters, who marched from Plaza Miranda, also called for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while some also showed support for Vice President Sarah Duterte.

The Manila Police District estimated that the crowd at Liwasang Bonifacio reached around 150 persons. 

MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines said since Liwasang Bonifacio is considered a freedom park, they won’t ask protesters to leave, but they will make sure the event is peaceful.

Some protesters said they will not leave until their demands are met. However, by past 9 p.m., when rain started to pour, the program ended.

'TREASONOUS'

House Committee on Human Rights Chairman on Monday described as "treasonous" the call of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential spokesperson, Harry Roque, for a people power to topple the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"Sa akin, it might also be treasonous eh. Because he's now calling for people power to topple down the present administration, Abante said.

Roque's call is not right, Abante added, saying "Eh hindi naman siguro tama ‘yong ganoon ‘di ba?  I mean, it's one thing to be able to rally against the government, it is another thing to say, let us come together so we could be able to topple down this government."

Roque was earlier detained for 24 hours at the detention facility of the House of Representatives for lying about his absence in a previous hearing of the Quad Committee probe on POGOs, EJKs and illegal drug syndicates.

ARREST WARRANTS

Courts in Davao City and in Pasig in April issued warrants of arrest for Quiboloy and others facing trafficking and abuse cases. Quiboloy, whom the government considers a fugitive, has been in hiding since.

His lawyers claim the accusations against him are recycled and were made by disgruntled former members of KOJC.

Quiboloy is also on the wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) “for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States via fraudulently obtained visas.”

The pastor has also “forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity… to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders,” according to the FBI.

In November 2021, Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and a federal warrant has since been issued for his arrest. 

18 arrested as PNP disperses Quiboloy followers blocking Davao City road