Pastor Apollo Quiboly, May 7, 2016. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File  

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday deployed additional forces as it continued operations to arrest fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

The PNP said the initial 2,000 officers from the Davao Region police were not enough to cover the 32-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City where Quiboloy is suspected to be hiding.

The PNP will bring in additional forces from its regional offices in Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Caraga.

Pagbungkal sa umano'y 'bunker' ni Quiboloy, sinimulan na

“Because PRO 11 hindi enough yung resources nila in terms of human and material resources, considering high profile itong case na ito involving leader of a big group itong church na ito. It really needs support from other units at napakalaking area po ito," said Directorate for Police Community Relations chief and spokesperson of the Special Task Group Davao Police B/Gen. Roderick Alba.

"Mas malaki pa sa Camp Crame, actually. It’s approximately 32 hectares so the 2,000 personnel na deploy in fact not that enough kung sa tingin ko lang because talagang tinitingnan bawat area talaga and police officers are also human beings. They need to rest and sleep also so dapat nagrerelyebo tayo. So we need support from other PNP units," he said in an interview with the media on the phone.

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Alba said the search involves various police units.

Court orders PNP to remove barriers around KOJC compound, stop ‘threatening’ activities
Court did not order police to stop KOJC operations to arrest Quiboloy — DOJ

"Very complex the layout of our deployment does not only involve arresting officers, investigators, even the specialized units. The CDM should be there, that is the mandate of PNP to maintain peace and order and security and safety for everyone not only the members of KOJC, even the communities surrounding the area. that’s the reason for the presence of our CDM units but we assure everyone nothing happened obstruction,” he said.

Alba reiterated their appeal to KOJC members to cooperate.

"I would like to appeal especially sa members ng KOJC we are not after you. We are not after (the) church, your beliefs or mga churchgoers or mga sympathizers. We are after persons with existing WOAs issued by a court. Kailangan natin i-implement natin ito at sana we need cooperation and support and perhaps help the PNP na matapos na rin ito sana sa madaling panahon,” he said.

KOJC members ‘traumatized’ by police hunt for Quiboloy: minister

The US Justice Department charged Quiboloy in 2021 with sex-trafficking of girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants, or "pastorals", who were allegedly required to have sex with him.

In June, the Philippine justice department charged the 74-year-old Quiboloy with sexual abuse. 

KOJC compound has 'secret passages' - PNP

Quiboloy and five other defendants have also been charged with qualified human trafficking and other acts of child abuse. 

The pastor said his accusers had made up the accusations because he rejected them. 

Quiboloy accuses alleged rape victims of 'Potiphar's wife syndrome'

– With a report from Agence France-Presse