Cult followers clash with police on 10th day of search for fugitive 'pervert pastor'

Members of a suspected cult clashed again with police hunting down a fugitive pastor wanted for alleged sex crimes.

Footage shows followers of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) squaring off against cops in riot gear during a raid at the KOJC compound in Davao del Sur province, the Philippines, on September 2.

Tensions flared as the fanatics tried to block the officers from entering one of the gates in the property to search for controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy, accused of running a 'sex cult' in the complex.

KOJC members claimed police were bringing in equipment to search for gold.

Police Major Catherine dela Ray, spokesman for the Philippine National Police Davao Region, said in a press conference: 'At least they later understood our request and opened the gate. Whether or not we have a scanner, we will never bring equipment to plant evidence. If we do bring anything in, it would be in aid of the ongoing search for Quiboloy.

'We are doing everything we can to complete the search. The quickest solution is for Quiboloy to surrender.'

The Philippine National Police said they have scoured 50 per cent of the compound, despite insistence from the pastor's legal counsel that he had already fled the premises since April.

The latest skirmish occurred as the KOJC were celebrating their 39th anniversary.

Authorities said it was the 10th day of the search for Quiboloy.

More than 2,000 cops were deployed to serve an arrest warrant for the fugitive religious figure who leads the KOJC - a Christian sect allegedly with seven million members.

His harem of female devotees are said to have performed 'nighttime duties' taking it in turns to sleep with him.

Furious fanatics had earlier squared off against the police on August 24, leading to 18 arrests for obstruction of justice. Six policemen were injured in the clashes.

The KOJC compound was reported to house a labyrinthine network of underground tunnels and passages, and even a hangar with a taxiway leading to the Davao International Airport.

Police Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for Police Regional Office XI, had earlier said: 'Based on what we detected on our device, we can say that there is an underground facility.'

Davao Police had brought more monitoring equipment into the estate, including a sound cannon typically used for crowd control.

Quiboloy, who has styled himself an 'Appointed Son of God', is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling. He also allegedly traffics members around the world, with an inner circle of women who perform what they call 'nighttime duties', taking it in turns to sleep with him.

He grew his following through radio, televangelism, and social media.

Quiboloy has ties with the powerful Duterte family ruling local politics in Davao City. He served as spiritual adviser to the vitriolic former President Rodrigo Duterte and allegedly enjoyed the politician's protections until he stepped down in 2022.

Incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte was at the KOJC compound on September 1 to join the sect's anniversary celebrations.