The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), the group of beleagued Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, has slammed the checkpoint set up by the police outside its compound in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City.

According to KOJC members, they were alarmed by the police officers manning the checkpoints who were reportedly wearing masks and sunglasses.

Police also put up a checkpoint in Barangay Tamayong on Monday, August 5, 2024, to supposedly serve the arrest warrant against Cresente Canada, one of Quiboloy’s co-accused in the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act charges.

The Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) said it has received a tip that Canada was sighted in the barangay, prompting them to set up a checkpoint.

“We received information that Cresente Canada is in Tamayong kasi siya nga ang barangay kapitan doon. We have people who are monitoring the place. Actually, may mga visuals tayo, nakita natin siya. Nakita ng mga tao natin the day before so nagplano kami na i-serve sa kanya ang warrant of arrest,” PRO-11 Director, Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, said.

Police reportedly also searched several houses, but Canada was not found.

Some vehicles were flagged down while other residents and media personnel were reportedly stopped at the checkpoint.

“Mga 2:28am, gipara mi dira sa Purok 2, di daw mi pwede paagi kay wala daw makaagi, wala daw may makasulod ug gawas nga mga sakyanan. Wala ko kabala sa rason, sir… Nabuntagan mi og pangompra kay layo baya tong Davao unya ang isda didto, dapat kadlawon naa na ka didto so naay gamay deperensya sa among pangikabuhi,” Puldo Baladje, one of the residents, said.

Police have already pulled out the checkpoint in Barangay Tamayong, as of this writing.

JOKC expressed its worry during the hearing of the Senate committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chaired by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

“Kaninang madaling araw nag-attack na sila sa isa na namang compound namin. Armed policemen were there. Ginising na naman nila yung mga farmers na nakatutok ang kanilang mga baril sa kanilang mga noo. Pwede ba tumigil na yang mga kasinungalingan ninyo,” KOJC Executive Secretary Eleonor Cardona said.

However, police said that the checkpoints were part of normal operational procedure.

“Our policemen at night, they are looking for them in dark places. Kasi nagtatago talaga ang police ko, pinatatago ko sila sa highway, precisely for that reason for them not to alarm people but these KOJC members are going out of their way,” Torre said.

PRO-11 said it will require the police officers to wear the standard uniform when conducting a checkpoint.