GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – “Hanggang kalian ba natin i-insist ang hustisya?” (Until when should we keep insisting on justice?)
Davao Region police director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III raised the question with biting candor in response to Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s public statement about the prolonged manhunt for fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy and four of his associates at the vast Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound.
In a statement on Monday, August 26, Duterte said, “The public seeks clarification from the PNP, how long do you intend to stay at the KOJC property?”
The mayor, the youngest son of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, said the standoff between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the KOJC, which started on Saturday, August 24, had inconvenienced motorists, hurt businesses, and affected the public.
Torre responded to Duterte’s question during an interview shown on the YouTube channel of former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno on Tuesday, August 27: “Until he (Duterte) advises Quiboloy to simply give up and face the consequences.”
It wasn’t the first time they had engaged in a verbal tussle. Torre and Duterte had a disagreement earlier when the Davao Region police chief claimed that Davao City’s police reports were being doctored to make it appear that the city had a relatively low crime rate.
Duterte responded angrily, calling Torre a “professional liar.” Torre then challenged Duterte to provide evidence that he lied and dared him to file perjury charges, pointing out that it was an official matter.
Justice for whom?
Torre said he found it ironic that Quiboloy’s followers have printed so many t-shirts with the message “Justice for Apollo Quiboloy” on them, “but how can justice be given to Mr. Quiboloy if he does not submit himself to the court?”
Quiboloy was ordered arrested on separate occasions in April by two regional courts in connection with cases for sexual abuse of a minor, child abuse, and qualified trafficking. He has been evading arrests since then.
Five others, including former KOJC finance officer Paulene Canada who was arrested in July, have been charged with child abuse and qualified trafficking. Four other Quiboloy associates – siblings Ingrid and Cresente Canada, Jackielyn Roy, and Sylvia Cemañes – are wanted by authorities along with the controversial doomsday preacher.
Aside from the arrest warrants, Quiboloy is being sought by a Senate committee, which started an investigation into allegations of sexual abuses, torture, exploitation, and other excesses committed against former KOJC members, including two Ukrainian women. Several women who testified told senators Quiboloy allegedly took advantage of them in the name of their religion.
Quiboloy is also on the most-wanted list of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In 2021, a federal grand jury in a US district court in California indicted the preacher and eight of his associates.
The 74-page indictment details the following charges against Quiboloy and his co-defendants:
- Sex trafficking by force
- Fraud and coercion
- Sex trafficking of children
- Marriage fraud
- Fraud and misuse of visas
- Bulk cash smuggling
- Promotional money laundering
- Concealment money laundering
- International promotional money laundering
Torre, who has been leading a police force of about 2,000 inside and outside the 30-hectare KOJC property where, authorities believe, Quiboloy and other fugitives have been hiding underground, said, “Tuloy-tuloy ito hanggang mapagod si Quiboloy at sumurender na lang.”
(This will continue until Quiboloy gets tired and simply surrenders.)
Like doomsday preppers
On Wednesday, August 28, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos appealed to Quiboloy again to come out of hiding.
“Para matapos na lahat (To get it over with), let’s face the court, Pastor Quiboloy,” Abalos said. “If he really thinks he is not guilty, he must face the charges against him, without fear.”
Police stormed the KOJC compound in Buhangin, Davao, in an attempt to serve the arrest warrants on June 10, but authorities failed. Some 2,000 cops swooped down on the vast property again last Saturday and have not left the compound yet.
A Davao court issued a temporary protection order in favor of KOJC and Quiboloy’s school, Jose Maria College, on Tuesday, but Abalos and police officials maintained that they were not directed by the judge to leave the property or stop the ongoing search.
Meanwhile, PNP chief General Rommel Marbil said during the same interview that the KOJC property has a bunker designed like those of doomsday preppers, people who, influenced by apocalyptic or survivalist beliefs, prepare extensively for catastrophic events that they believe will end the world or cause societal collapse.
“We have reliable proof that merong tao nagtatago (individuals are hiding) underground,” said Marbil, adding that the police have been using sophisticated technical equipment from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
“It is a ground penetrating radar, designed to look for life underneath ruins. We can hear eight heartbeats. Practically, these are the five fugitives and three others who could be Quiboloy’s security men.” – Rappler.com