The policemen seen with firearms at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City are said to be part of perimeter security and are not among those searching for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

This is according to PLt/Col Jerick Filosofo, spokesperson of the task force created to serve the warrant of arrest on Quiboloy and four others.

“There are certain units po na may armas, especially po yung mga natalaga po natin bilang perimeter security. In case po na magkaroon po ng police intervention, kinakailangan din po ng mga units na may armas. However po, yung nag-search, sa arresting team, and yung mga searching team, yung mga CDM contingent, wala pong armas,” Filosofo said.

The police made the clarification after policemen were seen with firearms at the KOJC compound morning on August 28, 2024.

Earlier, no less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said the cops deployed inside the compound did not carry guns or used tear gas.

“Lahat ng pumasok na pulis hindi armado. Walang baril kahit isa. Hindi gumamit ng tear gas. Wala kaming ginawang ganun,” the President said.

A video posted online days before Marcos issued the statement, however, showed a policeman with a firearm inside the compound.

Filosofo said that cop has been pulled out of the operation and is now being investigated.

“Actually, that concerned PNP personnel were already pulled out and currently pinaiimbestigahan na po ng ating higher command,” he told GMA Regional TV One Mindanao.

“He is under investigation. if proven na may probable cause, he will be facing administrative charges,” he added.

Filosofo said the PNP continues to observe maximum tolerance.

“Mini-maintain po natin na ang PNP po is observing maximum tolerance and the PNP and PRO-11 do not tolerate that kind of action and the person will be investigated,” he said.

The police operation at the KOJC compound started on August 24, 2024 but five days later, as of this writing, policemen have yet to find the embattled leader of KOJC.

KOJC, however, believes the cops should have already left the compound especially with the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) issued by the Regional Trial Court.

In a supplemental and clarificatory order, RTC Branch 15 said the TPO did not cancel the processes related to the service of warrants but also emphasized that Philippine laws and jurisprudence require that the manner in which a warrant of arrest is enforced should be “necessary and reasonable.” 

Quiboloy is facing charges for alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. His co-accused are also facing charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.