Marbil stands firm on prolonged search for Quiboloy

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Philippine National Police Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil said Sunday, August 5, that the hunt for fugitive Apollo Quiboloy and four of his church associates on a vast private property in Davao City would continue, despite sharp criticisms of how the ongoing operation was being conducted.

“As long as we have not served the warrant of arrest and we are certain that they are there, then we can legally stay longer, especially now that we have unearthed more cases of illegal human trafficking against these people,” Marbil said during a live-streamed news conference in Davao.

He referred to the rescue of a woman from Cotabato province and a young man from Samar – alleged victims of human trafficking – from the KOJC compound on Sunday.

Marbil also said police on the ground have been instructed to uphold human rights, and that members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ were allowed to freely move in and out of the property.

The PNP chief said this following concerns raised by the Davao chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), which urged the police to uphold the rule of law and for Quiboloy and his co-accused to submit to legal processes.

The ongoing search for Quiboloy within the KOJC property was also criticized by former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, who pointed fingers at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Supporters of Quiboloy are gathering outside the KOJC compound to denounce the Marcos administration and pressure the police into pulling out as of posting time. – Rappler.com