MANILA (UPDATED) — Police are still searching for the entrance to an underground bunker inside the 30-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound believed to be the hiding place of fugitive KOJC founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

PMaj. Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police Davao Region, said life detection devices used for rescue missions during earthquakes found "heartbeats" coming from underground.

"Ang hinahanap na lang ngayon 'yung entrance ng bunker kasi positive talaga 'yung life detection device na ginamit na meron talagang heartbeat sa underground. Hindi lang isang tao. Hindi lang isang heartbeat ang na-detect. Very positive 'yung information na nareceive namin na nasa loob ng KOJC compound si Quiboloy at 'yung mga kasama niya," she said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. 

Violent protests by KOJC members inside the compound also indicate that Quiboloy is hiding inside, she said.

"'Yung actuations ng members ng KOJC na naging mas agresibo sila, bayolente, may mga structures na ayaw nila kaming papapasukin, indicate na meron talaga silang tinatago."

READ: PNP 'very convinced' Quiboloy still in KOJC compound

At least 3 KOJC members have been arrested while some Davao police officers were hurt Sunday night as protesters became "aggressive" and "violent" while blocking the national highway in Buhangin, Davao City, near Davao City International Airport.

Earlier reports said the protesters used heavy equipment, a truck, and several cars to occupy all lanes of the main highway, to prevent the 2,000-strong police force from entering the KOJC compound, where authorities believe Quiboloy is hiding. 

This is the latest attempt by the police to serve the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy, who is facing child and sexual abuse and trafficking cases in courts in Davao City and Pasig.

READ: KOJC supporters blocking service of arrest warrant: CHR

Dela Rey said a wing van, two cranes, and a fire truck were still blocking the roads on both sides of the national highway in front of the KOJC compound, adding that "more or less" 200 Quiboloy supporters remained in front of the property.

KOJC members and the police have exchanged allegations of misconduct since the standoff began this weekend, with the former accusing the police of violence with the use of tear gas.

Dela Rey said the demonstrators violated the permit issued by the Davao City government because they did not conduct the prayer and candle-lighting rally as they had intended to do.

READ: Quiboloy supporters block national highway in Davao, hold protest

POLICE WARN OF DISPERSAL

Dela Rey said they are urging the KOJC members to break up the human blockade and the obstructions they put up on the road to prevent a possible dispersal. She said however that the protesters were not cooperating. 

"Ang in-employ ng kapulisan ay maximum tolerance. Hanggang sa ngayon pinakiki-usapan sila na alisin 'yung mga nakaharang na vehicle sa daan. Kung hindi po talaga sila papayag pwede kaming mag-resort to dispersal," she said.

"As of now wala pa akong information kung what time idi-disperse 'yung mga raliyista o tatanggalin 'yung mga sasakyan sa daan," Dela Rey said, adding that they plan to augment the existing 2,000 police officers with around 300 more.

QUIBOLOY 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. 

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.

But 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. 

Quiboloy, who claims the title "Appointed Son of God", has millions of followers worldwide. 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.

Quiboloy was also the spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was then named administrator of KOJC properties. - with reports from Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News

READ: DOJ chief hails rescue of trafficking victims inside KOJC compound

READ: IBP-Davao City calls for sobriety, respect for rule of law in ongoing search for Quiboloy

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