By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Around seven cops were hurt as tensions escalated in the ongoing police operations to capture fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy at the religious group’s compound in Davao City.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said six of these personnel were transported to the Camp Quintin M. Merecido Hospital for medical treatment, while one was treated in the area.
“May putok na ulo na pulis natin, may basag ang nose bridge, maraming galos, maraming sugat sa paa at sa kamay. Hindi tayo ang nagsimula ng gulo. In fact, kung mapapansin ninyo hindi nanghuli ang ating kapulisan kahapon, we want to deescalate yung tense situation kahapon kahit pa binato tayo ng mga monobloc chairs at yung claim nila na meron tayong tear gas na ginamit ay wala katotohanan yun,” Fajardo said.
She said they also have a video showing several members of KOJC hurting their fellow members to make it appear that the police mauled them.
“We are just waiting na ma-authenticate itong video na ito to show how desperate these people are para ipakita na umaabuso ‘yung mga pulis natin, nanakit ng mga pulis natin but on the contrary, ‘yung mga pulis natin ang minumura, tinatadyakan at sinasaktan at lahat ng klase ng pagmumura ay natanggap nung ating mga kapulisan but they maintained their composure,” Fajardo added.
Fajardo said the Police Regional Office in Davao (PRO 11) would disperse the KOJC members staging protest actions outside the compound and have blocked the national highway with vehicles and heavy equipment.
Charges for the obstruction of public roads will be filed against the concerned KOJC members, she added.
Fajardo also slammed the “misinformation” related to the operation.
“‘Yung claim nila first day pa lang na pumasok doon na tahimik at nakiusap na payagan na tayo pumasok, kiniclaim kaagad nila pito ang namatay, maraming sugatan, but until now, wala silang napapakita na pito or walong bangkay,” she added.
Fajardo also said the two individuals—a 20-year-old male and a 51-year-old female—rescued by the police inside the compound were already turned over to their respective families after they were “held against their will” within the KOJC compound.
Fajardo said complaints were being prepared against those involved in the “detention” of the two rescued individuals.
Cops searching underground bunker
Police are still searching for the entrance to an underground bunker inside the 30-hectare compound believed to be where Quiboloy is hiding.
Fajardo said this was shown by the ground-penetrating radar being used by the police, which indicates signs of life on a particular ground.
“They don’t want us to be there. They continue to drive us away from the place where we are concentrating our search. We are watching closely the area, and per my conversation with (PRO 11 chief) (Brig.) Gen. (Nicolas) Torre (III), we believe we are inching closer to the secret entrance of this bunker,” she added.
Quiboloy and five other KOJC members are facing charges of child abuse and human trafficking.
Courts in Davao City and Pasig City ordered their arrest.
The PNP stormed the KOJC compound in Davao City early Saturday morning.