Cops find ‘secret door’ in ‘Owner of the Universe’ cult boss’ lair as his followers vow they are ‘ready to die’
COPS have reportedly discovered a secret door inside the underground lair of wanted preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
Fears that the self-proclaimed “Owner of the Universe” may have fled his hideout using a secret tunnel are growing as his diehard cult continues to clash with police.
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.
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.
His legal team also deny any existence of an underground bunker and say the raid by cops is illegal.
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.
Constant yelling, fires and even claims that stones have been launched at officers have all been recorded.
Tear gas was even used against Quiboloy’s followers who had become “unruly and violent”, Davao police spokesperson Major Catherina dela Rey told Rappler.
A total of 60 officers have been injured so far, says Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo.
Despite the heavy reinforcements, just half of the 75 acre complex has been searched so far, the PNP says.
Footage shows cops going inside the cathedral – one of 40 buildings that needs to be checked.
Inside they are said to have found a secret door which leads to a number of hallways.
One of these leads into the preacher’s room, PNP officers have said.
PNP spokesperson Fajardo said: “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 hard for us. In fact, we are now getting the plan of this site from Davao City’s engineering office to check if these were 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 also sensed a number of heartbeats underground using radar technology.
Up to 30 different signals have been recorded as deep as 100ft below the ground.
To combat the blockade, police helicopters have been drafted in to scour the compound from above.
But the latest statement from the (PNP) says that some supporters have been using lasers to prevent the aerial search.
Putting the lives of the pilots in potential danger.
Police Major Catherine dela Rey said: “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 stop a major earthquake from hitting southern Philippines.
Many residents believed his words and were taken under Quiboloy’s wing.
But in 2021, the US Department of Justice charged him with sex trafficking of children, fraud and coercion and bulk cash smuggling.
Years of investigations left him accused of trafficking his followers to the US to gain donations for his hoax charities.
Authorities also say he has allegedly ordered his female and underage followers to have sex with him by citing it as part of their religious duties.
The FBI released a wanted poster for Quiboloy in 2022.
In the Philippines, he has also been charged with human trafficking and sexual harassment relating to the alleged abuse of a teenager in 2011.
Quiboloy said the “devil” was responsible for the allegations against him.
He blamed the FBI of trying to “meddle” with his case.
The preacher shot to fame in the Philippines when he started to work for former President Rodrigo Duterte as his spiritual adviser.
After Duterte stepped down in 2022, Quiboloy continued to gain followers to his Christian cult.
He now claims to preach to over seven million people.