Davao: police besiege fort of Duterte's preacher friend Quiboloy

Tension, clashes and arrests of supporters around the Kingdom of Jesus Christ headquarters where 2,000 officers are searching for the controversial fugitive spiritual leader after allegations of abuse and human trafficking. The deployment of forces comes a few months after the break between the current president and his predecessor's clan. Vice-President Sara Duterte's accusations: ‘Use of force unacceptable. I apologise for asking them to vote for Marcos'.

Davao (AsiaNews) - For the third day in a row tensions remain high in Davao, Philippines, with clashes between police and followers of evangelical preacher Apollo Quiboloy, a figure very close to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been under arrest for some time now on charges of child abuse and human trafficking.

Since Saturday 24 August, 2,000 police officers have been combing the more than 30 hectares of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ complex, the religious sect founded by Quiboloy, amid resistance from his supporters.

The aim is to track down the 74-year-old preacher who - as a fugitive - has always rejected the accusations through his lawyers, branding them as the revenge of people removed from the group.

The headquarters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a vast property, comprising more than 40 structures and a complex network of tunnels, passageways and hidden spaces.

Police claim to have detected heartbeats underground using sophisticated equipment, and are determined to remain in the compound until they have captured Quiboloy.

Yesterday, a protest by supporters of the preacher blocked a nearby highway and there was violence: the regional police office said that at least six policemen were injured by Quiboloy's supporters while the protesters accused the police of using tear gas.

One person also reportedly died of a heart attack. This afternoon, officers broke through a new barricade that had been erected and began arresting some protesters.

Quiboloy claims to have 7 million followers and has developed his ministry through television, radio and social media. His group is politically influential and closely linked to Duterte, whose family governs politics in the city of Davao.

The charges against him began in 2021, when US federal prosecutors opened investigations for trafficking people from the Philippines to America and for allegedly having sex with underage women and girls who were threatened with ‘eternal damnation’ if they did not turn to the self-proclaimed ‘son of God’.

Quiboloy's group had said it was ready to face the charges in court, but the preacher then went into hiding after the Philippine justice system - with the end of Duterte's presidency in 2022 - also took an interest in the matter, issuing a warrant for his arrest.

The sudden show of force by law enforcement in Davao comes after the break-up between the current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Duterte clan.

It is no coincidence that in recent hours Vice-President Sara Duterte, daughter of Rodrigo and herself a former mayor of Davao, has taken a strong stance against the ongoing police operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ complex.

While stating that she does not oppose the execution of an arrest warrant, she called the ‘use of force’ against innocent and devout citizens unacceptable. ‘These acts,’ he commented, ’are not only a blatant violation of constitutionally protected rights, but also a betrayal of the trust that we, Filipinos, place in the very institution that has sworn to protect and serve us.

Aiming his crosshairs directly at the president - to whom he returned the Education Minister's delegation months ago by calling himself out of government - he added: ‘I cannot help but wonder whether the excessive use of force and unfair abuse of ordinary Filipinos in the execution of this arrest warrant is due to the fact that the accused is a known supporter of Duterte. I would also like to ask forgiveness from all members, devotees and supporters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for encouraging and asking you to vote for Bongbong Marcos Jr. in 2022. I hope you can forgive me."