Police raided the stronghold of Quiboloy, the preacher friend of Duterte

Tensions, clashes and arrests of supporters around the headquarters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ where 2,000 agents were searching for the controversial spiritual leader on the run, accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking. The operation took place a few months after the rift between the current president and the clan of his predecessor. Accusations by Vice President Sara Duterte: “Unacceptable use of force. I apologize for asking you to vote for Marcos.”

Davao () – For the third consecutive day, tensions remain high in Davao, Philippines, with clashes between police and followers of evangelical preacher Apollo Quiboloy, a figure very close to former President Rodrigo Duterte against whom an arrest warrant has been issued on charges of child abuse and human trafficking. Since Saturday, August 24, 2000 police officers have been exhaustively searching the more than 30 hectares of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ complex, the religious sect founded by Quiboloy, amid resistance from his followers. The objective is to arrest the fugitive 74-year-old preacher, who has always denied the accusations through his lawyers, saying they were fabricated by people expelled from the group.

The headquarters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a sprawling property containing more than 40 buildings and a complex network of tunnels, passages and hidden spaces. Police say they have detected heartbeats underground using sophisticated equipment and are determined to remain at the compound until Quiboloy is captured. Yesterday a protest by the preacher’s supporters blocked a nearby highway and clashes broke out; the regional police department said at least six police officers were injured by Quiboloy’s supporters while protesters accused police of using tear gas. One person also died of a heart attack. This afternoon officers broke through a new barricade they had erected and began arresting some protesters.

Quiboloy claims to have 7 million followers and has developed his ministry through television, radio and social media. His group is politically influential and closely linked to Duterte, whose family rules politics in Davao City. The charges against him began in 2021, when federal prosecutors in the United States opened investigations into human trafficking from the Philippines to the United States and alleged sexual relations with women and underage girls who would have been threatened with “eternal damnation” if they did not surrender to the self-proclaimed “son of God.” Quiboloy’s group had said it was willing to face the charges in court, but the preacher went into hiding in 2022 when Duterte’s presidency ended and the Philippine justice system also began to take an interest in the case and issued the arrest warrant.

The unexpected show of force by the police in Davao came after the rift between the current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Duterte clan. It is no coincidence that in recent hours Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo’s daughter and former mayor of Davao, has taken a tough stance against the police operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ complex. While declaring that she does not oppose the execution of an arrest warrant, she said that the “use of force” against innocent and devout citizens was unacceptable. “These acts – she said – are not only a clear violation of constitutionally protected rights, but also a betrayal of the trust that we Filipinos have placed in the institution that has sworn to protect and serve us.”

Taking direct aim at the President – ​​whom he had already recalled as education minister several months ago to step down from government – ​​he added: “I cannot help but wonder if the excessive use of force and unjust abuse against ordinary Filipino citizens in the execution of the said arrest warrant is because the accused is a known supporter of Duterte. I would also like to apologize to all members, devotees and supporters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for having encouraged them to vote for Bongbong Marcos Jr. in 2022. I hope you can forgive me.”