Pastor Apollo Quiboly speaks during a miting de avance on May 7, 2016.  Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Police Regional Office XI director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday defended the existence of checkpoints outside the compound of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) near the airport of Davao City.

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KOJC members have criticized the presence of police officers at the checkpoints, whom they said wore masks and sunglasses and were not wearing name plates. Name plates or name cloths are required on most PNP uniforms, according to the revised PNP Operational Procedures.

Torre earlier said church leader Apollo Quiboloy is still hiding inside the 30-hectare KOJC compound in Barangay Buhangin, where he is shielded by KOJC members.

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"Bakit ngayon lang bukod tangi na may nagrereklamong mga tao, specifically 'yang mga taga-KOJC. Isa lang naman ang isyu eh. Ang kanilang leader ay may warrant. Lima sa kanilang kasamahan ay may warrant," he said in his speech during the Monday's flag ceremony.

(How come they are the only ones complaining about the checkpoints? It's a simple issue: Their leader is the subject of a warrant. Five of their members have warrants) 

Quiboloy is facing abuse and trafficking cases in courts in Pasig and in Davao City that he and his supporters claim are recycled and baseless.

Torre also mentioned that there have been longstanding checkpoints along Carlos P. Garcia Highway near the airport.

"Sabi nila, meron tayong checkpoint diyan malapit sa kanila kaya naha-harass sila. Bakit ang mga taga-airport, hindi naman naha-harass. Bakit ang mga hotels sa harap, may mga condo sa harap, wala naman tayong reklamong naririnig," he said.

(How come the people at the airport don't complain? The people in the hotels and condominiums aren't complaining)

"Noon pa man, dati nang may checkpoint diyan. High school pa ako," he added.

 (There have always been checkpoints there, even when I was in high school)

The Davao regional police chief told the police force to be unfazed by the ridicule from the KOJC members and supporters, as he is not affected by it.

"Anong ginagawa nila, dahil marami silang pera? Iri-ridicule nila tayo na tayo ay mga utusan, tayo ay mga sinususian ng kung sino-sino. Hindi ba nila nakikita ang sarili nila?" he said.

(What are they doing because they have a lot of money? They will ridicule us and say we are lackeys?) 

Torre said the police under his command are professionals and that it is the members of KOJC who are being used "by a person who has a warrant and who is hiding from the law."

The regional police chief continues to appeal to the KOJC members to surrender their leader and fellow co-accused.

He also said that Quiboloy is not his priority for now as other units are being assigned to conduct operations against the fugitive pastor.

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