Mob disrupts police raid on Quiboloy compound, attacks media

On Sunday night, an angry mob supporting fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy blocked a highway leading to his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City, sparking tensions and violence with police.

Six policemen were injured during clashes with KJC members as authorities searched for Quiboloy, who is wanted on charges of child abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

Tensions escalated again late Monday night when followers of Apollo Quiboloy began to mob the media covering the operation near the gate of the KJC compound, heckling journalists and preventing them from passing through the police line.

The incident occurred after a newsline publisher crossed the police line to allow reporters and cameramen access to their vehicles parked behind the line, leading to protesters shouting 'biased media' and throwing objects at retreating vehicles.

Protesters also regrouped near the Jose Maria College gate earlier in the day, causing disruptions that forced authorities to seal off the highway again, preventing traffic from flowing smoothly.

The Mindanao Independent Press Council Inc. and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) issued statements condemning the harassment and intimidation of journalists covering the operation.