Authorities in the Philippines conducted a massive police raid on a religious compound in Davao city in search of a local preacher accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking. The compound, belonging to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ group, was the target of the operation that involved hundreds of police officers backed by riot squads.
The raid, which began at dawn, was livestreamed online by a local TV network owned by the group. Despite the extensive search efforts, the preacher, Apollo Quiboloy, was not found on the premises, which spanned 30 hectares and included various facilities such as a cathedral, school, living area, hangar, and a taxiway leading to Davao International Airport.
Quiboloy and his legal representative have refuted the criminal allegations, attributing them to fabricated claims by critics and former members who were expelled from the group for misconduct.
The preacher's followers, present during the raid, vocally contested the police operation, questioning its legality and asserting Quiboloy's innocence. Quiboloy, known for his close ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte, claims to be the appointed son of God and has made bold claims in the past, including averting a major earthquake in the region.
Police officials leading the raid stated that warrants had been issued for Quiboloy's arrest on charges of child abuse and human trafficking, among others. The deployment of a large police force was justified due to the extensive compound layout and the need to search numerous buildings and structures.
In a separate development, United States federal prosecutors indicted Quiboloy in 2021 for alleged sexual misconduct involving women and underage girls, with charges ranging from sex trafficking to money laundering.
Despite the legal actions against him, Quiboloy has evaded authorities, prompting calls for his surrender from Philippine officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The preacher's association with Duterte, who endorsed his news program during his tenure, has raised further scrutiny over their past collaborations, particularly in relation to the controversial drug crackdowns that resulted in numerous deaths.
The International Criminal Court is currently investigating the extrajudicial killings that occurred under Duterte's anti-drug campaign as potential crimes against humanity.
