KOJC tunnel connected to hangar

MANILA, Philippines —  Apart from a bunker, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound has secret tunnels, one of which is connected to a private hangar owned by fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the Philippine National Police disclosed yesterday.

PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said they have received reports that there were secret tunnels underneath the KOJC compound, and that one of them leads to Quiboloy’s private hangar.

“This tunnel connects to the hangar and we are watching it to make sure the subjects of the warrants of arrest can’t escape,” Fajardo said over PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas.

Police have tightened security in the compound to ensure Quiboloy does not have an opportunity to flee.

More police officers outside of the Davao region were deployed at the KOJC compound in search of Quiboloy, who is believed to be hiding in the 30-hectare property.

The deployment of fresh troops came after the PNP insisted the manhunt against Quiboloy, who is wanted for qualified human trafficking and child abuse, will proceed despite a temporary protection order (TPO) from a Davao City court.

While they respect the judiciary’s role in upholding the rights of all parties involved, PNP chief Gen. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the TPO does not hinder the enforcement of arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his four co-accused.

“As affirmed by the Supreme Court, this order does not obstruct the PNP’s duty to serve these warrants, and we will continue to do so with the highest respect for legal procedures and human rights,” Marbil said.

The move to bring fresh troops from other police regional offices such as Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Soccsksargen is meant to augment around 2,000 police officers from Davao region who have been on the ground since last week looking for Quiboloy.

Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Augustus Alba, Directorate for Police Community Relations director and spokesman for Special Task Group Teknon Alpha, said more forces are needed to give policemen from Davao some time to rest.

The police official, however, refused to give a ballpark figure of the police officers from other regions.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is