A huge number of members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ block the national highway of Buhangin, Davao City on August 25, 2024. Ryan Evangelista, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — One of the legal counsels of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy questioned the Philippine National Police (PNP) operation at the religious group's compound in Davao City.

• Quiboloy underground bunker stumps cops; some KOJC members arrested 

In a press briefing on Monday, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio challenged why the PNP remained outside the compound even after two failed attempts to serve the warrant.

"Pag sinearch mo 'yung premises at hindi mo nakita 'yung tao, umalis ka na. Kung gusto mo, police ka naman, i-surveillance mo. Maglagay ka ng mga tao doon sa harap. Pero for you to enter, hindi niyo nakita, hindi na kayo umalis, hindi pwede 'yun. Naman. Saang planeta legal yun?" Topacio said.

(If you search the premises and you cannot find the subject of the warrant, you should leave. If you want, you're police, do surveillance. You can put people in front of the compound. But for you to enter, you didn't see the person, you didn't leave, that's not allowed. In what planet is that legal?)

"Eh papaano kung wala roon? Eh kung nasa Bacolod, nasa Iloilo, anong gagawin mo roon? So sampung taon ka nasa labas ng Kingdom? Sampung taon ka magtatakeover sa Kingdom? Ngayon puputulan pa ng tubig, wala naman ganun sa batas eh. Nakakasuka na talaga," he added.

• DOJ chief hails rescue of trafficking victims inside KOJC compound 

(What happens if he's not there and he's in Bacolod or Iloilo? What will you do? So you will wait ten years outside the Kingdom? You will takeover the Kingdom for ten years? Now they are saying they will cut the water and electricity there. There's nothing like that in the law. It's sickening.)

Topacio, however, maintained there is nothing illegal with implementing a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

Quiboloy and his associates are facing abuse and trafficking charges before Davao City and Pasig City courts.

The lawyer also slammed the PNP for "taking over" the property, when it barred people from entering the KOJC compound.

 "Tinake over mo na 'yung property. Viniolate mo na y'ung privacy ng mga tao. That's private property, bakit ka nandoon? In this case, ginagamit pa sa worship," Topacio said.

One of the legal counsels of the fugitive pastor believes the NBI is being pressured to catch the elusive Quiboloy.

• LOOK: KOJC members block highway, gate of compound

"Dapat 'yan may return eh. Ireturn mo 'yan whether served or unserved. Mapapaso 'yan kaya siguro nape-pressure sila. Pero yung sasabihin mo hindi pwede pumasok, hindi pwede lumabas, unang una grave coercion 'yan. But you know I will leave that to my more able colleague," Topacio explained.

(There should be a return [for the warrant]. They must return it whether it is served or unserved. It will lapse eventually, so maybe that's why they are pressured. But for you to say people cannot enter, they cannot go out… First of all that is grave coercion. But you know I will leave that to my more able colleague [in Davao.])

The lawyer said he is saddened to see the police conduct their operation in an "unprofessional" manner.

"Panawagan ko naman doon sa PNP, 'yung mga nageexercise naman ng right to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances na nasa constitution, huwag niyo naman itear gas yung constitution. Maawa naman kayo. May namatay na nga eh. Ilan pang mamatay para tumigil kayo, before you realize that what you're doing is excessive?," he said. 

(I am appealing to the PNP. For those who are exercising their right to assemble and  petition the government for redress of grievances na nasa constitution, don't tear gas them. Have mercy. Someone already died. How many more need to die before you stop and realize that what you're doing is excessive?)

Topacio said they can only give advice to Quiboloy, but whether or not he will surrender is up to him.

"We can only give our client the best legal advice that we know. Ultimately, it is up to the client, especially when it comes to surrendering. It is a personal decision. Pero hindi ko jinujustify (I am not justifying), but also I cannot blame Pastor Quiboloy. Because of all these things that are happening, if you take them all together... Senate, yung ginagawa kay (what they are doing to) Harry Roque, yung ginagawa sa mga (what they are doing to) Duterte… He is probably apprehensive that he will not get a fair shake under this government," he said.

The PNP maintained it followed protocols in its operation and remained confident they will be able to capture Quiboloy soon.

PNP Regional Office 11 Director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said it is just a matter of time before they arrest the pastor.

When asked about Quiboloy's whereabouts, Topacio said he does not know the location of the pastor since they have not spoken recently.

 "Hindi ko alam eh. Andun na sila eh. Eh di hanapin na nila. Kung talagang wala, anong gagawin mo kung wala doon?" he said.

(I don't know [where Quiboloy is]. They're already there so they should look for him. If he really is not there, what can they do if he's not there?)

PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Rommel Marbil believes Quiboloy is hiding in an underground facility inside the KOJC compound.

RELATED VIDEO