7-9-2024 (DAVAO) In a gripping saga that has captivated the nation, Philippine authorities find themselves embroiled in a complex manhunt for Apollo Quiboloy, the controversial leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church. The 74-year-old self-proclaimed ‘appointed son of God’ is wanted on charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, allegations that have sent shockwaves through the country’s religious and political landscape.
As the search enters its third week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) believes Quiboloy and four associates are holed up in an underground bunker within the sprawling 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao City. This southern metropolis, long considered the political stronghold of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s family, has become the epicentre of a tense standoff between law enforcement and church loyalists.
The manhunt, which began on 24 August, has unveiled a labyrinthine network of secret tunnels and subterranean chambers beneath the KOJC property. Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, Davao Region police chief, reported to a Senate committee that these discoveries include facilities allegedly used to detain women forced into sexual servitude for the fugitive preacher.
“Our resolve remains unshaken. We will not rest until Mr Quiboloy is apprehended,” General Torre affirmed during the hearing. “We stand firm in our commitment to justice for the voiceless victims of Quiboloy’s alleged crimes.”
The police operation has faced fierce resistance from KOJC followers, who have repeatedly clashed with authorities attempting to serve the court-issued arrest warrant. These confrontations have resulted in injuries to both sides, with about 60 police officers wounded in a violent encounter on 29 August.
The search for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy led the Philippine National Police (PNP) to crash through the KOJC compound in Davao City. pic.twitter.com/JQksE78VZQ
— Assortedge (@assortedge) August 31, 2024
The manhunt has taken on political undertones, with some analysts viewing it as a proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and the Duterte family. Quiboloy, known to be the spiritual adviser to ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, is seen as a potential repository of sensitive information about the Duterte clan’s financial interests.
Dr Aries Arugay, a fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, characterised the situation as “a test of influence between two political dynasties, with Quiboloy’s case serving as the battleground.”
The KOJC, founded by Quiboloy in 1985, claims a following of six million members worldwide, including a presence in Singapore. However, critics have long regarded the organisation as a cult centred around its charismatic leader.
Quiboloy’s legal troubles extend beyond Philippine borders. He features on the FBI’s most wanted list, facing charges in the United States for trafficking girls and women aged 12 to 25, allegedly coercing them into sexual servitude under the guise of religious duty.
