Bato slams long stay of police at KOJC compound

Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa sees no reason for the extended stay of police who are searching for wanted pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.

- DIANA LHYD SUELTO

Police have been looking for Quiboloy inside the KOJC compound over the past two weeks, with warrants of arrest issued against him for cases of sexual assault and human trafficking.

They believe-based on intelligence and equipment that the fugitive pastor is still inside the compound, and have been digging a hole under a building basement to find him.

"I find no further justification for them (police) to stay any longer," Dela Rosa, who conducted an ocular inspection at the KOJC compound, said yesterday.

"From my point of view, I don't see any reason for the extended stay of our policemen at the expense of the students who are studying here, at the expense of the exercise of the religion of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and at the expense of the freedom of movement of the persons inside," he added.

During the Senate hearing, Dela Rosa stressed giving the members of KOJC "peace of mind." "It is clear that if there's an existing tunnel there, it would have been found after 13 days," he said.

PNP: Manhunt will continue