Police officers were fully prepared to storm the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound on Sunday to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who faces charges of child abuse and trafficking. According to a report by Jun Veneracion on 24 Oras, what could have escalated into a violent confrontation was averted by high-level surrender negotiations and the timely arrival of a C-130 military plane at the Davao City airport.
Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, regional director for Davao, said he was informed by the National Headquarters of surrender talks early Sunday morning but continued preparations for an assault, setting a 3:15 p.m. deadline. “By 2:45 p.m., all stood up in preparation for the assault. I received another call asking for more time,” Torre said. He warned that the assault would proceed unless proof of Quiboloy’s surrender appeared within 30 minutes.
At the last moment, the military’s C-130 arrived, and Quiboloy surrendered, emerging from the KOJC compound in a convoy headed for the aircraft.
PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil confirmed that the operation was poised to move forward. He instructed Torre to ensure no children would be harmed if the assault resulted in fatalities.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos dismissed claims that Quiboloy was not inside the compound, emphasizing that surrender feelers were sent because the pastor was already surrounded. “For me, it makes no difference if he gave himself up because tactically, he was already surrounded,” Abalos said.
Photos and videos of Quiboloy and his co-accused during booking procedures were blurred before release to the media, including their mugshots.