Metro Manila, Philippines – A Davao court order granting temporary protection for the group of fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy will be challenged, a Cabinet official said on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

The plan has changed from initially filing a petition for clarification as authorities are attempting to serve arrest warrants against the pastor, which were issued by a different court.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos cited the Supreme Court order in May which stated that criminal cases and future cases against Quiboloy will be transferred to Quezon City from Davao because of the religious leader’s influence in the area.

“Hindi na kami mag-a-ask ng [We will not ask for a] clarification. We will just be challenging this court,” Abalos said.

“Justice Secretary (Jesus Crispin) Remulla asked for a change of venue. This was not only granted by the Supreme Court but in a resolution, nakalagay [it stated] that all future cases involving Quiboloy should instead be filed or be forwarded to Quezon City,” he said.

On Aug. 27, the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 15 issued the temporary protection order for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. It instructed the police to remove barricades in access points of the compound and to stop acts or omissions that threaten people.

Authorities have continued their operations without a stay order from the court.

The Justice Department backed the police and said that the protection order is moot and academic as issues have been addressed.

The agency explained that the police operations are within the bounds of law. It added that the barriers only served as additional security and did not hamper the “flow of basic human needs.”

The Davao police began serving arrest warrants on Aug. 24 and have not left the area as of posting time. They believe they are close to arresting Quiboloy.