BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – In response to rising tensions in Davao City, 100 police personnel from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) in Western Visayas will be deployed to support the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO-11).
The deployment aims to assist in managing disturbances and the ongoing search for fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), confirmed PRO-6 spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis.
Currently in hiding, Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same Act.
The controversial pastor is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig City court.
The Western Visayas police contingent, comprising 50 officers from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and another 50 from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), has been tasked with both Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) duties and the search operation for Quiboloy.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, PRO-6 Regional Director, emphasized the importance of practicing “maximum tolerance” during interactions with the public and KOJC members.
Simultaneously, Iloilo City police director Police Colonel Kim Legada declared a full alert status effective from 5 p.m. on August 26, signaling all personnel to maintain readiness to respond to regional directives.
No data has been set yet as to when the 100 officers will leave for Davao City.
In a statement, PRO-6 expressed support for the law enforcement efforts in Davao, underscoring the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) commitment to enforce the law impartially, irrespective of personal interests, political affiliations, religious beliefs, or ideological biases.
The statement reiterated that “no one is above the law,” including religious leaders.
The PRO-6 also backed Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, PRO-11’s regional director, who has faced criticism over his handling of the situation.
Quibiloy is believed to hiding in a bunker below the KOJC compound in Davao City. Torre said his troops will remain inside the compound until Quiboloy is arrested.
The police’s first attempted to arrest Quiboloy was on June 10. Police used ladders then to enter the KOJC compound and this caused tension between police officers and KOJC missionaries who were waiting outside the compound.
On Monday, August 26, Malacañang denied that the police operation against Quiboloy is politically motivated.
According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the police officials were following the laws by serving the arrest warrant against Quiboloy and his co-accused./PN
