PNP SAYS DIE-HARD KOJC MEMBERS HURT 7 COPS AS TENSION RISE DURING QUIBOLOY SEARCH

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said that at least seven policemen on Sunday night were wounded by die-hard members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) protesting the operation to get fugitive Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean S. Fajardo said six of the officers were transported to the Camp Quintin M. Merecido Hospital for treatment while another was treated at the KOJC rally site.

The cops suffered body injuries after being struck by wooden clubs in the head, neck, cheekbone, foot and knee by the KOJC members, according to Fajardo.

The official said that the Police Regional Office 11 also moved to disperse the barricade put up by KOJC members at the highway leading to the Davao City International Airport, causing huge traffic jams in the area.

“May sign of life sa underground and we believe na nandiyan po sila (Quiboloy et al). But one of the challenges on the ground is that our operations are being impeded by the KOJC members. Grabe resistance nila lalo na pag lumapit ang pulis sa lugar na pinpointed na posibleng pinagtataguan ng mga akusado,” Fajardo said.

The PNP spokesperson said that the KOJC members have also put up barbed wires and even live wires in the area.

“Bakit kailangang gawin ito? Nagpapatunog din sila ng sirena obviously to call the attention ng mga nasa loob ng compound para maghanda,” she lamented.

Meanwhile, a member of the Young Guns of the House of Representatives expressed alarm over the rescue of two alleged victims of human trafficking during a police raid at the KOJC compound amid suspicions that the group might be harboring criminals and keeping more victims.

Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario has asked the police to thoroughly investigate the cases of the two victims of human trafficking and see if other people are being held against their will or if there are other related concerns allegedly happening within the confines of the KOJC compound.

Law enforcement operatives raided the KOJC compound on August 24 to serve a warrant for Quiboloy, who is facing charges for violation of Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Quiboloy was also charged with a non-bailable offense of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended.

Almario encouraged Quiboloy and those harboring him to surrender to authorities and face the charges filed against him.