DAVAO CITY (UPDATED) — A 50-year-old member of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group died due to cardiac arrest, as the Philippine National Police's operation tried to serve an arrest warrant on its leader Apollo Quiboloy and others facing abuse and trafficking cases early Saturday morning in Davao City.

Police Regional Office XI spokesperson Catherine Dela Rey said the person was extremely tired as he was tasked to guard the tower of the compound overnight.

Around 2,000 police personnel were deployed to the KOJC compound, with police marching from Camp Quintin Merecido before 4 a.m. to the KOJC compound near the airport.

Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, regional police director, presented the documents of the alias warrants of arrest against Quiboloy.

Authorities also believe that the fugitive pastor is inside the compound.

KOJC legal counsel Israelito Torreon questioned the jurisdiction of the warrant as it was allegedly issued in Pasig City.

However, Torre stood firm and said Quiboloy's legal team can challenge the warrants in court but that the police would push through with their operation.

Torre gave the Kingdom of Jesus Christ 30 minutes to open the gates of the compound or police would force their way in.

Just before the gates were opened, members claimed some police officers had already come in through other entry points.

KOJC opened the main gate of the compound at 5 a.m. and the police were able to enter the area.

The police allowed members inside to leave the compound but barred those who were already outside from entering.

However, tensions rose among church members and police officers inside the compound while the authorities conducted search operations.

The members said some of them were hurt by tear gas, while there were individuals who fainted and were rushed to the hospital.

"May possibility. Depende naman kasi yan sa sitwasyon sa loob kung kailangan ba or hindi. Kung mayroon mang paghagis ng tear gas ay naaayon din naman yon sa police operational procedures," Police Maj. Catherine Dela Rey, Police Regional Office 11 spokesperson, said.

(It's possible. Tear gas is necessary in some situations. If tear gas was used, that should be according to police operational procedures) She said the police will remain inside the compound until they are done searching the whole area thoroughly.

As of posting, search operations are ongoing and Quiboloy and his co-accused have yet to be found.

In defense of having full-battle gear on, with high-powered firearms, the police said "it’s a part of their uniform." Thousands were deployed as the compound was "too huge with a lot of facilities and buildings."

Media and all other civilians were barred from entering the compound.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bong Go citicized the manner the PNP conducted its operation.

"Unang-una, ako ay taus-pusong nakikiramay sa pamilya ng mga namatay at nasaktan kaninang umaga sanhi ng isinagawang raid ng kapulisan sa Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound sa Davao City," the senator said in a statement. "Alam ko na tungkulin po ng pulis na ipatupad ang batas. Ngunit kinokondena po natin ang karahasang nangyayari dahil importante po sa atin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino." Go said the police should have handled the situation much better.

"Protect the people! Huwag naman overkill na may masasaktang ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino lalo na’t sa loob pa ito ng lugar ng pagdarasal," he said.

Go is a known supporter and former aide of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a Quiboloy ally. -- With a report by Chrislen Bulosan

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