Members and supporters of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) conducted a prayer rally last night outside their compound, near the entrance of Davao International Airport, in connection to the Philippine National Police's (PNP) ongoing efforts to locate the religious leader and fugitive Apollo Quiboloy.
The road leading to the airport was obstructed as a result of the protest organized by KOJC members and Quiboloy's supporters. The police promptly tried to convince the demonstrators to leave because of the inconvenience being caused to travelers.
WATCH: Mga kapulisan nakikiusap sa mga raliyista na nakaharang sa daan patungong Davao City International airport na umalis na dahil sa abalang dulot ng mga ito sa mga pasahero. | via Jhun Suter, Aksyon Radyo Davao pic.twitter.com/O92W2qxOPB
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According to Police Regional Office 11 Spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey, the approved permit was specifically for a prayer and candle lighting rally inside the KOJC compound, but this was not adhered to.
The rally held by KOJC followers and members featured placards advocating for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Approximately 1,000 individuals are said to have attended the rally, although not all were KOJC members, some had been recruited from other locations.
Members of KOJC reported feeling as though they were being held hostage in the compound, due to the PNP's implementation of maximum tolerance and the strict cordoning of the area by police and enforcers.
According to Rex Obcena, Area Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Davao City, airport operations and flights are unaffected and will continue.
Furthermore, Maj. Dela Rey refuted the news circulating on social media that Davao City has been placed under lockdown.
"Marami pong fakenews na pinapalabas ang KOJC para po magcreate ng panic and chaos," Dela Rey said in an exclusive interview with DZRH on Monday.
"Huwag po agad kayong maniwala like ‘yung sinasabi nila na nilockdown ng PNP ang Davao City, hindi po ‘yun totoo. Sila po ang humarang ng mga sasakyan nila," she added.
According to Jhun Suter of Aksyon Radyo Davao, KOJC members took a temporary break from their posts to rest and will reconvene their prayer rally later today.
