60 cops hurt in operations to arrest Quiboloy

Metro Manila, Philippines – Sixty police officers have been hurt in operations to arrest fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.

Members of Quiboloy’s group, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), and the police have clashed since authorities attempted to serve arrest warrants on Aug. 24

PLtCol Jerick Filosofo, spokesperson of Special Task Group Teknon Alfa, told NewsWatch Plus on Thursday, Aug. 29, that KOJC members harmed arresting officers.

“May mga pagkakataon na may certain resistance sa part ng members ng KOJC while the PNP (Philippine National Police) is implementing the warrant of arrest,” Filosofo said.

[Translation: There were instances when KOJC members showed certain resistance while the PNP was implementing the warrant of arrest.]

“May mga nabato, may mga nahampas, may mga napalo,” he added.

[Translation: Some received blows.]

The Davao police said 26 civilians and KOJC members were hurt due to “resistance and intervention” with police operations.

Authorities said the arresting team is observing maximum tolerance.

Meanwhile, 29 people were arrested amid the operations. They are facing obstruction of justice and/or direct assault cases.

The police deployed around 2,000 personnel for the operation, which is on its sixth day.

Some encountered dizziness, body weakness, and suffered abrasions, among others.

Meanwhile, a contingent from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other police units are helping in the operation, national police spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said.

Fajardo said the augmentation is for the police officers who have stayed for days.

“In fact, kumuha na rin tayo ng augmentation sa ibang region kasi kailangan din po magpahinga ng mga ibang police natin na na-deploy nung first one, two, three days ago na talagang napasabak during the height nung violent rally ng KOJC,” the spokesperson said in a briefing.

[Translation: We also got augmentation from other regions because our police officers, who were deployed in the first three days during the height of the violent KOJC rally, have to rest.]