MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) were met with a police line when they went to their cathedral early Sunday as the Philippine National Police cordoned off the area in anticipation of the group's 39th anniversary, a KoJC lawyer said.

"The PNP refused my client's request to use the KOJC Cathedral so they will just use, instead, the front portion of the Kingdome per PNP's instructions," Israelito Torreon said in a television interview.

Policemen had been searching for Apollo Quiboloy for the past nine days in the vast KoJC compound to serve warrants for the fugitive pastor.

Torreon said that the PNP had "taken control" of the cathedral despite the Temporary Protection Order issued by the court.

"They are controlling and occupying the KoJC Cathedral, hence, we have to deal with them," he said.

The PNP has yet to issue a statement with regards to the incident.

Torreon said he will seek an audience with Davao City Police Director Col. Hansel Marantan to discuss the use of the cathedral for the group's anniversary.