In an incident on Monday afternoon, the Philippine National Police apprehended 18 individuals during a confrontation with members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Davao City. The clash occurred as authorities sought televangelist Apollo Quiboloy within the KOJC compound. The group had set up a barricade on the road, leading to a confrontation where KOJC members threw a pungent liquid at the police from a barrel, resulting in arrests for obstruction of justice. The KOJC members, many with covered faces, are set to face complaints, while their lawyer mentioned plans to file charges against the police.
The situation escalated further with reports of violence, including KOJC supporters allegedly hurting police officers and accusations of human trafficking. The PNP spokesperson defended the use of tear gas and refuted claims of misinformation, stating that video evidence showed self-harm among KOJC members to falsely implicate the police. Amidst the chaos, courts have issued warrants for Quiboloy on trafficking and abuse charges, with additional allegations from the US FBI regarding labor trafficking schemes.
The confrontation culminated in a violent dispersal as the police attempted to clear the roadblock, met with resistance from KOJC followers who engaged in physical altercations with law enforcement, resulting in a tense and chaotic situation.
Photo Courtesy: Sunsetday