Police raid KOJC compound, member dies from cardiac arrest

A member of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) died due to cardiac arrest during an early Saturday morning operation by hundreds of law enforcement officers serving an arrest warrant on evangelist Apollo Quiboloy and others facing abuse and trafficking charges in Davao City.

The police confirmed that one person died, five experienced cardiac arrests, and 16 were injured as part of the operation conducted around 5:27 am.

Around 2,000 police personnel from PRO XI and PNP Civil Disturbance Management unit entered the KOJC compound to execute the arrest warrant for Quiboloy, who is facing charges under Republic Act 7610 and a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge.

Major Catherine Dela Rey of the Police Regional Office 11 Public Information Office clarified that the deceased was over 50 years old and had been exhausted from guarding their tower for several days before dying on arrival at Southern Medical Philippines Hospital due to cardiac arrest.

The legal counsel of KOJC questioned the jurisdiction of the warrant as it was allegedly issued in Pasig City, but PNP Region XI director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said they would push through with their operation.

Search operations are ongoing inside the compound as authorities continue to look for Quiboloy and his co-accused.