28-8-2024 (MANILA) In a resolute stance, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has defended the deployment of 2,000 police officers in a weekend operation aimed at apprehending Apollo Quiboloy, an influential pastor accused of sex trafficking. The operation, which took place on Saturday, 24 August, targeted the sprawling compound owned by Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church in Davao City.
Quiboloy, who has proclaimed himself the “owner of the universe” and the “appointed son of god”, is believed to be hiding in a bunker within the 30-hectare complex. The pastor, a longtime friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces serious charges including child abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Quiboloy has vehemently denied all allegations.
President Marcos, addressing reporters on Tuesday, 27 August, emphasised that the substantial police presence was necessary to ensure the safety and security of the area surrounding the church premises. “Considering that this is a 30-hectare compound, you really need plenty of people, not just a dozen police,” Marcos stated, justifying the scale of the operation.
The president’s comments come in the wake of fierce criticism from former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. The father-daughter duo, once allies of Marcos but now political rivals, have accused the police of human rights violations and abuse of power in their handling of the case.
In a strongly-worded statement, Sara Duterte condemned the police action, saying, “These acts are not only a blatant violation of constitutionally protected rights but a betrayal of the trust that we, Filipinos, place in the very institution sworn to protect and serve us.”
The operation encountered resistance as Quiboloy’s followers blocked the compound’s gate, preventing hundreds of shield-carrying police officers from executing the court-ordered arrest. Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy’s lawyer, told ANC news channel on Tuesday that the police “have turned the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound into a garrison”.
Quiboloy, who also features on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list, commands a following of millions in the Philippines, a country where religious leaders wield significant influence in political affairs.
The incident has further strained the relationship between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. The latter’s recent departure from Marcos’ cabinet has sealed the dissolution of their political alliance forged during the 2022 election. In a revealing statement, Sara Duterte expressed regret for having persuaded members of Quiboloy’s church to vote for Marcos two years ago, signalling a complete breakdown of their once-strong political partnership.
