Operation at KOJC compound could end months-long search for Quiboloy | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Operation at KOJC compound could end months-long search for Quiboloy
Operation at KOJC compound could end months-long search for Quiboloy
Jonathan de Santos,
Rowegie Abanto,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 26, 2024 07:17 PM PHT

MANILA — Hundreds of personnel of the Philippine National Police spent the weekend combing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Buhangin, Davao City for the religious group's leader, Apollo Quiboloy, who faces trafficking and abuse cases in courts in Davao City and in Pasig.
MANILA — Hundreds of personnel of the Philippine National Police spent the weekend combing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Buhangin, Davao City for the religious group's leader, Apollo Quiboloy, who faces trafficking and abuse cases in courts in Davao City and in Pasig.
The operation, the second where police have entered and searched Quiboloy's properties in Davao City, could be the culmination of efforts across government agencies to arrest the wealthy and politically influential pastor who has been wanted by Philippine courts since April.
The operation, the second where police have entered and searched Quiboloy's properties in Davao City, could be the culmination of efforts across government agencies to arrest the wealthy and politically influential pastor who has been wanted by Philippine courts since April.
Aside from the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation and even the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms have tried to find and arrest Quiboloy.
Aside from the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation and even the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms have tried to find and arrest Quiboloy.
Failure to arrest Quiboloy, even as former President Rodrigo Duterte has hinted at knowing where he is, has earned the PNP criticism from the House and an ultimatum as early as July from Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada who said continued failure to find the pastor could affect the police force's 2025 budget.
Failure to arrest Quiboloy, even as former President Rodrigo Duterte has hinted at knowing where he is, has earned the PNP criticism from the House and an ultimatum as early as July from Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada who said continued failure to find the pastor could affect the police force's 2025 budget.
ADVERTISEMENT
Operations against Quiboloy meanwhile also earned the PNP rare criticism from former President Rodrigo Duterte, who backed the institution against allegations of rights abuses and extrajudicial killings when he was president.
Operations against Quiboloy meanwhile also earned the PNP rare criticism from former President Rodrigo Duterte, who backed the institution against allegations of rights abuses and extrajudicial killings when he was president.
The search for Quiboloy, who endorsed Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the presidency in 2022 and who remains a close ally of the Duterte family, has been complicated by a growing rift between the formerly allied political families.
The search for Quiboloy, who endorsed Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the presidency in 2022 and who remains a close ally of the Duterte family, has been complicated by a growing rift between the formerly allied political families.
Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday condemned what she called the "gross abuse of police power" in the police operations and wondered aloud whether the government was devoting so much of its resources to finding Quiboloy because he is a Duterte ally.
Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday condemned what she called the "gross abuse of police power" in the police operations and wondered aloud whether the government was devoting so much of its resources to finding Quiboloy because he is a Duterte ally.
She also apologized to KOJC members for convincing them to vote for Marcos in 2022, so far the most direct criticism that the vice president has used against the chief executive.
She also apologized to KOJC members for convincing them to vote for Marcos in 2022, so far the most direct criticism that the vice president has used against the chief executive.
The operations have also prompted Quiboloy's followers to blockade a highway in Davao City on Sunday night for a "prayer rally" where they called for justice for their leader, criticized the PNP and demanded Marcos Jr.'s resignation.
The operations have also prompted Quiboloy's followers to blockade a highway in Davao City on Sunday night for a "prayer rally" where they called for justice for their leader, criticized the PNP and demanded Marcos Jr.'s resignation.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Monday said the operations are not politically motivated and that "the law must take its course" in the cases against Quiboloy.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Monday said the operations are not politically motivated and that "the law must take its course" in the cases against Quiboloy.
In a joint statement, parties under the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas declared support for the PNP "as they carry out their lawful duties."
In a joint statement, parties under the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas declared support for the PNP "as they carry out their lawful duties."
The alliance, comprising the country's biggest political parties, said it is "resolute in its belief that no one is above the law" and called on Filipinos to trust the legal process.
The alliance, comprising the country's biggest political parties, said it is "resolute in its belief that no one is above the law" and called on Filipinos to trust the legal process.
"Our nation's strength lies in our collective adherence to the law, and we must all contribute to ensuring that justice is served," the ruling coalition said.
"Our nation's strength lies in our collective adherence to the law, and we must all contribute to ensuring that justice is served," the ruling coalition said.
The PNP said over the weekend that it is convinced that Quiboloy is hiding in the 30-hectare compound, possibly in an underground bunker. They said police will not leave the compound until he is found.
The PNP said over the weekend that it is convinced that Quiboloy is hiding in the 30-hectare compound, possibly in an underground bunker. They said police will not leave the compound until he is found.
QUIBOLOY'S CASES
A Davao court in April issued a warrant of arrest for Quiboloy and his co-accused over alleged sexual abuse and child abuse crimes.
A Davao court in April issued a warrant of arrest for Quiboloy and his co-accused over alleged sexual abuse and child abuse crimes.
In the same month, a Pasig City court also ordered Quiboloy’s arrest and his 5 co-accused for their alleged human trafficking. Quiboloy has denied all allegations against him.
In the same month, a Pasig City court also ordered Quiboloy’s arrest and his 5 co-accused for their alleged human trafficking. Quiboloy has denied all allegations against him.
Quiboloy and his supporters have denied the allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking, saying these were made by former members who have grudges against the religious group.
Quiboloy and his supporters have denied the allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking, saying these were made by former members who have grudges against the religious group.
He has also denied allegations of rape, saying his women followers fight each other to be with him.
He has also denied allegations of rape, saying his women followers fight each other to be with him.
Quiboloy has so far refused to appear in court, with his lawyer saying the pastor is only looking after his own welfare.
Quiboloy has so far refused to appear in court, with his lawyer saying the pastor is only looking after his own welfare.
"If a person who is the subject of a warrant feels he cannot get fair and impartial justice under our present system of government — under the executive — then, while I do not condone it, I will be the last person to blame him for refusing to submit himself to a justice system that is far from being fair," lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said in July.
"If a person who is the subject of a warrant feels he cannot get fair and impartial justice under our present system of government — under the executive — then, while I do not condone it, I will be the last person to blame him for refusing to submit himself to a justice system that is far from being fair," lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said in July.
Even before local courts issued arrest warrants against him, Quiboloy was already facing similar charges in the United States.
Even before local courts issued arrest warrants against him, Quiboloy was already facing similar charges in the United States.
In February 2022, he was placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling after being indicted in November 2021.
In February 2022, he was placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling after being indicted in November 2021.
Quiboloy, who claims the title "Appointed Son of God", claims millions of followers worldwide.
Quiboloy, who claims the title "Appointed Son of God", claims millions of followers worldwide.
During the 2022 presidential elections, Quiboloy endorsed the presidential and vice-presidential bids of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte.
During the 2022 presidential elections, Quiboloy endorsed the presidential and vice-presidential bids of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte.
They won by a landslide.
They won by a landslide.
Quiboloy was also the spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was since been named administrator of KOJC properties.
Quiboloy was also the spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was since been named administrator of KOJC properties.
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
Trump hits out at US agency AP as 'radical left' media
Trump hits out at US agency AP as 'radical left' media
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 21, 2025 11:57 AM PHT

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dances at the end of a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York, October 27, 2024. Angela Weiss, AFP
.jpg)
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Thursday called the Associated Press a "radical left organization" in his latest salvo in the fight over the US media mainstay's use of the Gulf of Mexico for the renamed body of water.
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Thursday called the Associated Press a "radical left organization" in his latest salvo in the fight over the US media mainstay's use of the Gulf of Mexico for the renamed body of water.
Trump in his first month in office dubbed the area the "Gulf of America" and has restricted Associated Press (AP) journalists' access to the White House until the news agency obeys his order.
Trump in his first month in office dubbed the area the "Gulf of America" and has restricted Associated Press (AP) journalists' access to the White House until the news agency obeys his order.
The White House has blocked AP journalists from Air Force One and the Oval Office, arguing that the agency was ignoring a lawful name change.
The White House has blocked AP journalists from Air Force One and the Oval Office, arguing that the agency was ignoring a lawful name change.
"We have a fight with one news organization, AP, a radical left organization — treats us all very badly — and they refuse to acknowledge that the Gulf formerly of Mexico is now called the Gulf of America," Trump said in a speech Thursday to the Republican Governor's Association in the capital Washington.
"We have a fight with one news organization, AP, a radical left organization — treats us all very badly — and they refuse to acknowledge that the Gulf formerly of Mexico is now called the Gulf of America," Trump said in a speech Thursday to the Republican Governor's Association in the capital Washington.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We're holding them out of any news conferences now. I'm sure they'll get sued, and maybe they'll win. Doesn't matter. It's just something that we feel strongly about," he added, without clarifying what he meant about the possible legal action.
"We're holding them out of any news conferences now. I'm sure they'll get sued, and maybe they'll win. Doesn't matter. It's just something that we feel strongly about," he added, without clarifying what he meant about the possible legal action.
The 180-year-old media organization has long been a pillar of US journalism and provides news to print, TV and radio outlets across the country.
The 180-year-old media organization has long been a pillar of US journalism and provides news to print, TV and radio outlets across the country.
In a style note last month, AP noted that "the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years" and said Trump's executive order "only carries authority within the United States."
In a style note last month, AP noted that "the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years" and said Trump's executive order "only carries authority within the United States."
© Agence France-Presse
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT