Cops find ‘secret door’ in ‘Owner of the Universe’ cult boss’ lair as his followers vow they are ‘ready to die’
COPS have reportedly found a secret door inside the underground lair of wished preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
Fears that the self-proclaimed “Owner of the universe” might have fled his hideout utilizing a secret tunnel are rising as his diehard cult continues to conflict with police.
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Anti-riot cops are clashing with diehard cult followers in the Philippines over the arrest of a wanted preacher
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The secret door reportedly discovered inside Apollo Quiboloy’s underground lairCredit: News 5
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The secret door reportedly led to a bedroom that cops say could be Quiboloy’sCredit: PNPPIO
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Apollo Quiboloy – the self-proclaimed ‘owner of the universe – is accused of human trafficking, child and sexual abuseCredit: AP
Footage of supporters standing behind barb wired fences shows them chanting about being “ready to die” for Quiboloy through megaphones.
The clan of churchgoers have been defending the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound since last Saturday.
Over 2,000 officers in riot gear stormed the sprawling church complex where they say Quiboloy was hiding out since an arrest warrant was issued.
The preacher, 74, is accused of human trafficking, child and sexual abuse by both the Philippines government and the US.
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Quiboloy was even placed on the FBI’s most wanted list in 2021.
He is being hunted down along with five others who are co-accused with child abuse claims.
Quiboloy denies all the allegations against him.
The advancing officers – who have now been joined by the army – have been clashing with a human ring of protection made up of the cult over the last seven days.
They have blocked off the gates to the compound making it near impossible to enter through the front.
Police reports have said some of the protests have been violent.
‘Owner of the universe’ hiding in underground lair as diehard cult supporters type human defend & conflict with 2,000 cops
Fixed yelling, fires and even claims that stones have been launched at officers have all been recorded.
Tear fuel was even used in opposition to Quiboloy’s followers who had turn out to be “unruly and violent”, Davao police spokesperson Main Catherina dela Rey advised Rappler.
A complete of 60 officers have been injured thus far, says Philippine Nationwide Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo.
Regardless of the heavy reinforcements, simply half of the 75 acre complicated has been searched thus far, the PNP says.
Footage exhibits cops going inside the cathedral – one of 40 buildings that wants to be checked.
Inside they are stated to have discovered a secret door which leads to a quantity of hallways.
One of these leads into the preacher’s room, PNP officers have stated.
PNP spokesperson Fajardo stated: “We have already checked many areas without revealing the exact location, but we are confident that we are about to find their exact location.
“It’s very onerous for us. Actually, we are now getting the plan of this web site from Davao Metropolis’s engineering workplace to examine if these had been declared or not.
“Because if these are not declared, then there’s a violation. If all these intricate things were declared, these can be used for hiding.”
Authorities have additionally sensed a quantity of heartbeats underground utilizing radar know-how.
Up to 30 totally different indicators have been recorded as deep as 100ft beneath the floor.
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Rows of beds with garments and pillows might be seen inside the underground complicated officers say Quiboloy was hiding inCredit score: Trubune
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Troops have been deployed to scour the compound as they look to arrest QuiboloyCredit score: Information 5
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Quiboloy’s supporters have been protesting in opposition to the raid by blocking the compoundCredit score: EPA
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A view of the sprawling compound the place officers consider Quiboloy should beCredit score: Google Maps
To fight the blockade, police helicopters have been drafted in to scour the compound from above.
However the newest assertion from the (PNP) says that some supporters have been utilizing lasers to stop the aerial search.
Placing the lives of the pilots in potential hazard.
Police Main Catherine dela Rey stated: “The PNP strongly condemned the recent actions of KOJC members who have been using laser devices against PNP helicopters.
“Such behaviour is a direct threat to the safety and operational effectiveness of our law enforcement aviation units.
“The use of lasers against aircraft is not only dangerous but also a clear violation of aviation safety regulations and legal standards.”
A court order to arrest the evangelist preacher remains in place.
Police say they will not leave until they have Quiboloy.
Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy’s lawyer, told ANC news that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound has been turned into a garrison.
In the chaotic week-long melee, a Kingdom of Jesus Christ supporter reportedly had a fatal heart attack.
Officers confirmed the death was unrelated to anything done by cops in the operations.
The huge raid was livestreamed by a local TV network owned by the group with dozens of those in the cult filming on their phones.
Authorities say the cult leader had burrowed himself almost 100ft beneath his church.
Whistleblowers have testified in the past that they were held in the “sex lair” after being coerced into a sexual relationship with Quiboloy, reports the Daily Tribune.
Many brave women who have come forward say they were first taken underground at “a young age”.
It comes as the Philippine National Police released footage of officers inside the chilling compound.
Footage shows rows of beds surrounded by concrete walls where officers say Quiboloy may have kept women hidden away.
The conditions looks as though it has been recently left abandoned with pillows and bottles among the litter piling up on the floors.
As cops make their way through the dark building more bedrooms are shown to be of a better quality with TVs, neon lights and sofas.
Quiboloy said back in April: “I am not hiding from the charges because I am guilty. That’s not true. I am just protecting myself.”
Who is Apollo Quiboloy?
APOLLO Quiboloy is a preacher in the Philippines who is known for his Kingdom of Jesus Christ cult group.
The spiritual leader has claimed in the past that he is the “son of God”.
He sensationally managed to convince his diehard fans that in 1973 he was approached by God who whispered to him “I will use you”.
In 2019, he even declared that his powers helped to cease a serious earthquake from hitting southern Philippines.
Many residents believed his phrases and had been taken below Quiboloy’s wing.
However in 2021, the US Division of Justice charged him with intercourse trafficking of kids, fraud and coercion and bulk money smuggling.
Years of investigations left him accused of trafficking his followers to the US to acquire donations for his hoax charities.
Authorities additionally say he has allegedly ordered his feminine and underage followers to have intercourse with him by citing it as half of their non secular duties.
The FBI launched a wished poster for Quiboloy in 2022.
In the Philippines, he has additionally been charged with human trafficking and sexual harassment relating to the alleged abuse of an adolescent in 2011.
Quiboloy stated the “devil” was accountable for the allegations in opposition to him.
He blamed the FBI of making an attempt to “meddle” with his case.
The preacher shot to fame in the Philippines when he began to work for former President Rodrigo Duterte as his non secular adviser.
After Duterte stepped down in 2022, Quiboloy continued to acquire followers to his Christian cult.
He now claims to preach to over seven million folks.
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Over 2,000 officers had been deployed over the weekend with tons of extra despatched to the compound since
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Quiboloy is alleged to have over seven million followersCredit score: Getty
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The preacher is on the FBI’s most wished listingCredit score: FBI