MANILA. Hundreds of police officers, supported by riot squads, stormed the sprawling compound of a religious group in Davao City, on Saturday, in search of a controversial preacher accused of child abuse and human trafficking
The operation targeted the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound, led by its founder, Apollo Quiboloy, who has been at the center of multiple criminal allegations. Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who led the raid, stated that the extensive deployment was necessary due to the size of the compound, which spans approximately 30 hectares (75 acres) and includes a cathedral, school, living quarters, hangar, and a taxiway connected to Davao International Airport.
“We won’t leave here until we get him,” Torre declared, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges against Quiboloy. “We have no-bail warrants for Quiboloy and four others for very grave crimes, including human trafficking, child abuse, and other cases.”
During the raid, a supporter of Quiboloy’s group reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack, although police confirmed that the death was unrelated to the operation. The entire event was broadcasted live by a local TV network owned by the religious group, showing the intensity of the police action as well as the emotional response from Quiboloy’s followers. Many members filmed the raid on their cellphones, expressing anger and disbelief, questioning the legality of the operation, and defending Quiboloy’s innocence.
Despite an extensive search, including the use of equipment designed to detect people behind cement walls, authorities were unable to locate Quiboloy within the compound by mid-afternoon. The preacher, who claims to be the “appointed son of God,” has previously denied all allegations, labeling them as fabrications by critics and former members expelled from the group due to alleged irregularities.
The allegations against Quiboloy are serious and wide-ranging. In 2021, U.S. federal prosecutors indicted him on charges of sex trafficking, including the exploitation of women and underage girls who were reportedly coerced into sexual acts under threats of abuse and “eternal damnation.” The indictment also includes charges of conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, along with money laundering, visa fraud, and other offenses.
Quiboloy, who was a close spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, went into hiding following the issuance of multiple arrest warrants in the Philippines for child and sexual abuse. The Philippine Senate has also issued a separate warrant for his arrest after he refused to attend committee hearings investigating the criminal allegations against him.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has publicly called on Quiboloy to surrender, assuring him of fair treatment by the authorities.
As police continue their efforts to locate and arrest Quiboloy, the raid underscores the ongoing legal battle surrounding the controversial preacher, whose influence has extended from local to international arenas.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
