AFP ready to lend a hand in search for Quiboloy

THE Armed Forces yesterday said it is ready to assist the PNP, if requested, in searching for fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla issued the remarks as PNP operations inside the KOJC compound entered its eighth day yesterday.

Thousands of policemen swooped down at the compound last August 24 to serve arrest warrants against Quiboloy, the KOJC leader, and his four co-accused in sexual abuse and human trafficking cases.

As of yesterday, police were still searching some 40 structures inside the compound and determining the entrance to the underground facility where Quiboloy is believed hiding.

“We are there to assist. We have yet to send troops (at KOJC) … but our troops in Davao are ready to reinforce, if need be,” Padilla told a radio interview.

“We work hand in hand with all the different agencies. We’re playing a support role to the Philippine National Police. They (PNP) are the lead in this (law enforcement) operation,” said Padilla.

The military has key units based in Davao City, including the Eastern Mindanao Command and the Task Force Davao which can easily provide troops to aid policemen in the search for Quiboloy at the KOJC compound, if requested.

“We are assisting in law enforcement activities. The AFP assists even other agencies, including (the) NBI. They can call us to assist and we provide additional forces that they need,” said Padilla.

“If they need augmentation from the side of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (we will provide). Any agency that needs the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in terms of their operations, we are here to join and augment them,” said Padilla.

The PNP has declined to comment on the remarks of Quiboloy’s camp that policemen have started drilling operations to get Quiboloy and the cordoning off of the cathedral yesterday on the KOJC’s 39th foundation anniversary.

“We cannot answer these questions in the meantime, otherwise it will jeopardize the efforts of the PNP in serving the WOA (warrant of arrest) and the lives of PNP personnel securing the area,” said PNP director for