60 Filipino cops injured as bid to arrest ‘appointed son of god’ Quiboloy enters Day 5
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Anti-riot police block supporters of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy as they stage a protest rally outside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao city.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - About 60 cops were injured as the Philippine National Police (PNP) remained inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City, after failing for days to serve an arrest warrant against embattled pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“Around 60 (cops) in total,” said PNP spokeswoman Colonel Jean Fajardo in a press conference on Aug 29.
“But as we say, that’s part of the hazards of being police and we have to commend our police, they really exercised maximum tolerance,” she added.
Police think Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “owner of the universe” and “appointed son of god”, is hiding in a bunker at the sprawling compound owned by his KJC church in the southern city of Davao.
The influential pastor is wanted on charges of child and sexual abuse and related allegations of human trafficking. He denies wrongdoing.
Quiboloy’s followers blocked the gate of the compound to prevent shield-carrying police from enforcing a court order
The pastor, who also figures on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list, is followed by millions of people in the Philippines, where church leaders hold heavy sway in politics.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Aug 27 had to defend the deployment of 2,000 police officers
“And considering that this is a 30ha compound, you really need plenty of people, not just a dozen police,” Mr Marcos told reporters then.
Additional PNP personnel started arriving in batches on Aug 27 night, coming from other parts of Mindanao, according to Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba, the Davao regional command director for police community relations.
The army would also contribute soldiers – up to four companies – to intensify the operation, which is now in its fifth day.
Earlier, Col Fajardo said the PNP may soon spot the secret entrance and passageway of a bunker where “signs of life” have been detected.
Quiboloy and five co-accused face child abuse cases before the Davao City court. One of them has been in the custody of authorities since July.
The religious leader also has standing arrest warrants for human trafficking issued by a Pasig City court. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, REUTERS
