MANILA – Police have uncovered hidden passageways, explosives, and other weapons within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City as they continue their search for the group’s leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

During a press briefing at Camp Crame on Thursday (29 Aug 2024), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. shared videos and images documenting the discoveries.

These included complex structural designs, barbed wire installations, and secret passageways inside the 30-hectare estate.

Abalos revealed that police found a concealed door leading to another room, along with at least 42 buildings within the compound. “This door leads to Pastor Quiboloy’s room,” he stated while clarifying that only a few of these secret passages have been disclosed publicly to avoid compromising ongoing operations.

The DILG is coordinating with the Davao City Engineer’s Office to verify if these passageways were declared in the construction plans submitted by the KOJC.

“We’re investigating whether these structures were properly declared. It’s a serious violation if they weren’t, especially if these intricate designs could be used as hiding places,” Abalos explained.

Photos displayed during the briefing showed Molotov cocktails and bolos found on a building’s roof deck. Abalos also noted the presence of live electrical wires and additional barbed wire set up by Quiboloy’s supporters.

Despite the discoveries, Abalos refrained from sharing all the evidence to prevent hindering the search efforts. “This is a challenging operation, as you’ve seen from the obstacles our police are currently facing,” he said.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Maj. Catherine Dela Rey expressed confidence that Quiboloy remains inside the compound. She reassured the public that authorities are not targeting the KOJC’s structures, church, or members but are solely focused on executing the arrest warrant.

The PRO-11 previously dismissed social media rumors suggesting that they would bomb the KOJC cathedral.

ia/mnm

MANILA – Malacañang has voiced its support for the ongoing police operations targeting fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, asserting that the rule of law must prevail.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that Quiboloy must face legal consequences, dismissing claims that the operation is politically motivated.

“He is answerable to the law; the law must take its course. We have a process for that,” Bersamin stated when asked about the pastor’s evasion.

Quiboloy, along with five other KOJC members, faces charges of child abuse and human trafficking. Courts in Davao City and Pasig City have issued warrants for their arrest.

In a raid conducted early Saturday morning, Philippine National Police (PNP) officers searched the expansive 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao City, which includes a cathedral, a school, residential areas, a hangar, and a taxiway connected to Davao International Airport. However, Quiboloy was not found.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reassured the public that Davao International Airport remains fully operational. “All commercial flights are proceeding as scheduled. Passengers should arrive at the airport well in advance and coordinate with their airlines for any updates,” CAAP stated.

Authorities are working closely with CAAP to ensure the safety and security of all passengers at Davao airport.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Believing that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) cult founded by beleaguered Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy can deliver solid votes, some traditional politicians have cast their lot on the televangelist who is facing congressional probes and also wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for sex trafficking and other charges in the United States.

It can be noted that four senators opposed the contempt order namely: Robinhood Padilla, Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, and Bong Go.

They would have been five but Sen. JV Ejercito signed the objection to the contempt order but later withdrew his signature.

Political analyst Ronald Llamas on Friday (08 March 2024) said the decision of the senators to either oppose or support the arrest order shows political calculation.

“Binabalanse ng mga senador kung ‘yung kanila bang pagsuporta kay Quiboloy ay makakatulong sa kanilang political interest,” Llamas noted.

Quiboloy, however, accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. of conspiring with US authorities to allegedly “eliminate” him.

Llamas said Quiboloy, spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Roa Rodrigo, should not snub the hearings especially since it tackles the alleged rape and abuse of female members of the KOJC.

“Si PBBM na mismo ang nagsabi na dapat dumalo si Quiboloy sa hearing,” Llamas said.

Quiboloy also claims to be the “appointed Son of God”.

“Kung ikaw ay Anak ng Diyos, hindi ka dapat matakot sa hearing. Hearing lang naman,” Llamas further said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — In an unsettling revelation, women identified as Ukrainians and members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) have come forward, detailing alleged instances of sexual abuse during their “night duty” under the leadership of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former spiritual adviser of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The victims, referred to as “Nina” and alias “Sofia,” shared their testimonies via video conferencing during a Senate investigation led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women and Children.

Quiboloy, although invited to the public hearing, did not attend.

Hontiveros initiated the investigation through Resolution 844 in December 2023, seeking to shed light on the reported abuses within KoJC.

The resolution outlined claims that female members, known as “pastorals,” were allegedly coerced into performing household chores, engaging in sexual acts, and soliciting money from strangers.

Alias Nina recounted her family’s involvement with the congregation in Ukraine since 2012. She revealed Quiboloy’s demand for pastorals to “sacrifice everything, including your body.” Expressing innocence at the time, Nina tearfully recounted an instance when Quiboloy forced himself upon her, threatening eternal consequences if she resisted.

Similarly, Alias Sofia shared her experience, explaining how Quiboloy approached her when no other Ukrainian girls were present, pressuring her to sacrifice everything, including her body.

She described a disturbing incident where Quiboloy allegedly exposed himself to her while she massaged him, leaving her shocked and nervous.

Stephen Wood, an American aiding Quiboloy’s victims, disclosed that he and his wife provided shelter for the Ukrainian women who escaped the KoJC. In 2022, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation placed Quiboloy on its “wanted list” for alleged sex trafficking charges. Quiboloy and two church members faced indictment in November 2021 for “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.”

Hontiveros emphasized the need for an investigation to assess the adequacy of updated human trafficking laws in addressing large-scale and systematic acts conducted under the guise of a religious organization.

The gravity of these allegations underscores the importance of safeguarding individuals from abuse within religious institutions.

(By el Amigo/MNM)