Two KOJC members 'rescued' from compound in Davao City

Two members of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) were “rescued” from the KOJC compound in Davao City on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

They were reportedly rescued as police scoured the compound for the second day in search of Quiboloy and to arrest the pastor.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 spokesperson Maj. Catherine dela Rey said the two men, a woman and a 20-year-old man, wanted to leave the compound but other KOJC members allegedly prevented them from doing so.

“KOJC members are in Hindi for the rescue of the PNP…KOJC members are happy with lumabas and still have a silang palabasin,” Dela Rey said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was called in to assist in the rescue.

“This is a rescue of the Philippine National Police assisting the DSWD in rescuing the country,” Dela Rey said.

The woman is from Midsayap and her children reportedly asked for her to be rescued. The man, meanwhile, is from Samar and his family also reportedly asked for him to leave the compound.

The two men were taken to the DSWD regional office.

Dela Rey said they would get more details about the situation of the two people in the complex.

Police failed to locate Quiboloy on the first day of the operation, August 24.

The pastor is charged with alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children from Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. His co-defendants are also charged with alleged violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.

Authorities have since urged him to surrender and are convinced the information he is simply hiding in the compound.

PRO-11 Director Nicolas Torre III said the layout inside the compound made it difficult for his men to navigate the property.

“Sa laki ng lugar, sa dami ng lusutan, kami mismo nagkakawala-wala… hindi naman alam talaga ang layout ng lugar… there was little we could do,” he said.