Quiboloy in custody

MANILA, Philippines — After months of hiding and two weeks of intensified manhunt operations, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founding leader Apollo Quiboloy is finally in government custody.

“Apollo Quiboloy already arrested,” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos posted on Facebook.

Amid questions on whether Quiboloy surrendered or was arrested, Abalos told The STAR in a text message: “(The police) already got Quiboloy.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief posted a photograph of Quiboloy clad in a black shirt, a scarf and bull cap.

Quiboloy was with KOJC chief legal counsel Israelito Torreon in the photo.

Abalos did not give other details on how Quiboloy was captured.

The fugitive preacher decided to surface after Philippine National Police (PNP) members raided the KOJC compound in Davao City, according to Abalos.

“He decided to surrender as he is feeling the heat now,” Abalos said.

Before Quiboloy’s capture, Abalos had hinted that police were close to arresting the self-styled son of God.

The DILG chief earlier defended the PNP’s decision not to vacate the KOJC’s 30-hectare property.

“At this point, we have a warrant of arrest. The goal is simple: to get Pastor Quiboloy,” Abalos said.

He maintained that they have not received any intelligence report indicating that Quiboloy is abroad or hiding in other parts of the country.

Quiboloy is facing labor and sex trafficking charges in the United States.

He is also the subject of three arrest warrants in the Philippines, including one issued by the Senate.

President Marcos has junked the condition set by Quiboloy’s camp that the televangelist would surface if there is a “written declaration” that he would not be turned over to the US for “extraordinary rendition.”

Arrested or surrendered?

Meanwhile, PNP Regional Office XI director Brig. Nicolas Torre III refused to say whether Quiboloy was arrested by authorities or surrendered at the KOJC compound early last night.

Torre instead referred the matter to Abalos, who earlier posted on social media about Quiboloy’s “arrest.”

Sources said it was Torreon who facilitated Quiboloy’s “surrender” to military intelligence agents.

A convoy of nine vehicles reportedly picked up Quiboloy from his private hangar and then brought him to the C-130 aircraft that was waiting for him at the adjacent Tactical Operations Group XI of the Philippine Air Force.

Quiboloy was then transported to Manila as per the DILG chief’s instruction for the serving of the warrant of arrest.

Before authorities took Quiboloy, KOJC members were asked to surrender their mobile phones at around 2 p.m. yesterday. The evangelist then surfaced, 16 days after over 3,000 police officers entered the compound.

The ensuing days resulted in the tension between policemen and KOJC members who tried to defend their kingdom’s premises.

“This is a big relief. I’ll sleep first,” Torre said following the development.

“I thank our police for not letting up. I also would like to thank our brothers and sisters in the KOJC. I thank them for their cooperation,” he added.

Torre appealed for understanding from Quiboloy’s followers, stressing that he never considered them as enemies, as he was only tasked to serve warrants of arrest against the KOJC leader.

4 Quiboloy aides detained at Crame

At a news briefing at Camp Crame, PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said Quiboloy’s co-accused in qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases were also captured.

Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes are also in police custody.

They were brought to the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame under tight security on a plane from Davao City to Villamor Airbase in Pasay.

Risa: You can’t outrun the law

Following the development, Sen. Risa Hontiveros told Quiboloy that he cannot outrun the law.

“You will be held responsible, Apollo Quiboloy. You cannot outrun the law. You will not further delay justice,” Hontiveros said after Quiboloy was reportedly arrested yesterday afternoon.

“Justice is within reach of victim-survivors, thanks to their courage to tell the truth,” Hontiveros added.

Hundreds of police personnel and KOJC members had been in a standoff at the KOJC compound following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy, resulting in traffic disruptions and raised concerns about safety in Davao City.

Hontiveros commended law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts and dedication despite Quiboloy’s tactics.

“The Senate investigation will continue to end the systematic abuse of the most vulnerable in society,” the senator said.

“The days of people like them – ruling, defying the law and abusing women, youth and our fellow Filipinos – are numbered,” she added.

‘Davao mafia’

Before authorities got Quiboloy, a senior administration lawmaker is calling on the government to “dismantle” what he described as the “Davao mafia” and pave the way for the preacher’s arrest.

Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, who chairs the Metro Manila Development committee of the House of Representatives, urged authorities to “uproot the mafia-like system in government and private offices in Davao City that allowed Quiboloy” to get away with constructing an underground getaway.

“Those underground facilities could not have been built without the acts of commission and omission of government offices, private entities and individuals,” Valeriano said.

At the same time, the veteran legislator suggested that “some sort of general cleaning should get underway soon to wash away the systemic corruption that allowed Quiboloy to flourish.”

“There should be a thorough inventory of guns, ammunition, explosives and dangerous chemicals in the possession of individuals in Davao City. Any and all illegal POGOs (Philippine offshore gaming operators) and fake BPOs (business process outsourcing firms) in Davao City must be raided and dismantled,” Valeriano said.

For the lawmaker, President Marcos’ order on “banning POGOs must be implemented also in Metro Davao.”

“The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) must conduct a regulatory audit of all entities with broadcasting and internet services franchises in Davao,” Valeriano said.

“The NTC must make sure that none of those franchises are being used for purposes that are illegal and contrary to their franchises from Congress,” he stressed.

‘Rude, arrogant’ leader slammed

“We deserve better.”

With this conclusion, Valeriano expressed belief that Filipinos don’t need a “rude and arrogant” public official like Vice President Sara Duterte to seek the presidency in the May 2028 presidential elections.

“The funds being sought by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 national budgets are not for the Vice President herself. Pondo ng bayan iyan (That’s the nation’s)!” Valeriano said in his privilege speech last week at the House.

He pointed out that in all aspects of life, most especially in a democratic country like the Philippines, it is but “normal” for even small and big enterprises to undergo fiscal scrutiny, more so with local government units whose finances are screened by their respective local legislative councils.

“That’s the way it is – that is part of the process of a democratic republic like ours. We’re not a monarchy, a communist regime or a dictatorship,” Valeriano said.

The lawmaker is a member of the ruling Lakas-CMD headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, who had a falling out with Duterte last year.

“The Philippines is a democratic republic. Every election, we don’t elect queens or emperatriz to power. Our democratic republic has Congress, judiciary and executive departments that are all co-equal and balances each other in terms of power,” Valeriano said.

“It is our duty here in Congress to scrutinize the proposed budget of the executive department, which includes their expenses incurred in the previous fiscal years, and which, of course, are funds that the people have entrusted to them,” he added.

The House official condemned the way Duterte treated his colleagues when they were deliberating on the OVP’s proposed budget last Aug. 27 in the House appropriations committee led by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. — Edith Regalado, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla