GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – The police general leading operations to capture the elusive fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy at his sprawling Davao property said the manhunt would continue, even if it takes a year, to bring the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader to justice.
Davao region police director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III addressed the public and the police during a live-streamed press briefing on Tuesday, September 3, where he said the police had no deadline.
“Ayaw kong lagyan ng deadline ang operation na ito. Ang una kong nasabi sa KOJC during the Senate hearing, one month minimum. Hindi ako nagbibiro, with all sincerity nung sinabi ko. We can even be here after a year,” he said.
(I don’t want to set a deadline for this operation. What I initially said about the KOJC during the Senate hearing was a minimum of one month. I wasn’t joking; I said it with all sincerity.)
“Every single day that passes without apprehending Apollo Quiboloy is another day of injustice, another day of a travesty of the legal processes,” Torre said.
The police general is leading the operations to arrest the fugitive preacher that began at the 30-hectare KOJC compound on August 24.
“This is why we are so persistent in our efforts and will not stop until we catch this person,” Torre said. “In this situation, we have minor-victims, like alias Amanda, whose lowly voice is nothing compared to the accused Apollo Quiboloy, if the government is not there to help her and the other victims.”
The police have faced criticism from Quiboloy’s followers and supporters for their prolonged presence inside the KOJC compound in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City, which began with a raid two Saturdays ago.
Before a Senate committee in early August, Torre said, “If they (KOJC) allow us, I would bring in 1,500 people and have them stay there for a month to search for Quiboloy.” He told the committee that the property is a vast labyrinth with underground spaces, tunnels, and a taxiway leading to Davao’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport.
Quiboloy’s followers found support from Vice President Sara Duterte, who described the police operations as “excessive.” She attended the 39th KOJC anniversary celebration in the compound on Sunday, September 1.
Trolls and threats
He cited hate messages and threats on social media from fake accounts and trolls, and said the online attacks have strengthened their resolve to complete their mission.
According to Torre, the situation has worsened, dragging the personal lives and families of law enforcers into the issue.
“While we are intensifying our operations, they are also ramping up their personal attacks against us. They have called me names, and I know many of you have also received hate comments and messages,” he said.
Torre said they have traced the online attacks to trolls, one of whom is allegedly employed by city hall.
He claimed that his wife and children have been targeted with hate messages and even threats on social media by fake accounts and trolls.
“Last night, there was a direct death threat to my children,” Torre said without elaborating.
However, he emphasized that the online attacks would not deter the police from performing their duties.
“Hindi tayo magpapatinag. Tandaan natin kung bakit andito tayo. Trabaho natin ang protektahan ang mas nakararaming mga tao, panatilihin ang kapayapaan, at siguraduhin na ang lahat ay sumusunod sa batas. Maging sino man sila!” he said.
(We will not be deterred. Let us remember why we are here. Our job is to protect the majority of the people, maintain peace, and ensure that everyone follows the law. Whoever they may be!)
Taking full responsibility
Torre described the police actions at the KOJC compound as more than just serving a warrant of arrest. He said they aim to show citizens that the police are there for them.
“Gone are the days when justice was served on the streets. We have seen the pain this has caused our fellow citizens who were not even given a chance to defend themselves, especially their families,” Torre said. It was apparently reference to cases of extrajudicial killings associated with the bloody war on drugs of the previous administration.
Regarding the police operations to arrest Quiboloy, he said they were simply doing their job as law enforcers.
“If, in the future, Apollo Quiboloy files complaints against us, our defense will be that we are all simply doing our jobs, and above all, you (cops) are following my orders,” he said.
Torre said he was taking full responsibility for everything they do.
“I don’t leave my people behind. I don’t throw my people under the bus to save my own skin,” he said.
Torre recalled an experience in Fairview, Quezon City. “At noon on December 14, 2005, four people were killed on a 300-square-meter lot, and 16 were arrested.” He said a case of harassment was filed against the police, and 12 years later, it was dismissed.
He said the cops involved in that operation were exonerated and even promoted, he said.
“Kaya kung makapatay man tayo, kumuha ng lakas sa kaalaman na mahalaga ang ginagawa natin, tayo ay gumagawa ng magandang ehemplo para sa lahat, kapag nahuli nating ang taong ito, at mahuhuli natin siya,” Torre said.
(So if we do end up taking lives, draw strength from the knowledge that what we are doing is important. We are setting a good example for everyone if we catch this person, and we will catch him.)
He said the police operations will continue with increased determination to show that the law is fair and that no one is above it. – Rappler.com