Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) honorary chairperson Apollo Quiboloy welcomes the Philippine Army top leadership during the Memorandum of Partnership Agreement at the SMNI Studio in Makati City on October 24, 2022. Philippine Army Handout photo

MANILA (CORRECTED) — Department of the Interior and Local Government chief  Benhur Abalos on Saturday urged fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy to surrender and face abuse and trafficking cases that courts have ordered him arrested for.

This is in line with the ongoing search operations of the Philippine National Police in the 30-hectare compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church which started on Saturday. 

"Please naman, nanawagan ako at ito na pananawagan ng lahat, sumuko ka na. Dahil klaro naman ang sinasabi mo, you are deemed to be innocent until your guilt is proven in court. Pero may warrant tayo eh. At ang warrant niyan is People of the Philippines v. Apollo Quiboloy," he said.

• KOJC explains why Quiboloy refuses to surrender

"'Yung sinasabi mo walang ka kasalanan, may proseso diyan at yan ay sa korte.  Sumuko ka na at harapin mo ang mga akusasyon. 'Yan ang sa akin, sumuko ka na," he also said.

(Your claim of innocence can has due process which is through the court. Surrender and face your accusations.) 

Kingdom of Jesus Christ legal counsel Israelito Torreon on Thursday said that there is a threat to Quiboloy's life as he faces possible "extraordinary rendition" — state-backed kidnapping — to the US, where he is also facing cases.

Neither Quiboloy nor his lawyers have provided evidence for the claim of a conspiracy between the US and the Marcos Jr. administration to bring him to America for trial.

• FBI can't pursue Quiboloy without extradition: ex-UP Law dean

"[K]aya nga nag-request si Pastor before na magpirma lang sana ng written declaration si Presidente Marcos na hindi siya dalahin sa Amerika," Torreon said.

(That is why Quiboloy has requested a written declaration from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he will not be brought to America)

The President has dismissed Quboloy's condition for his surrender as the "tail wagging the dog", or an attempt to dictate on the government.

The search operations at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City has prompted protests from members of the religious group, has subjected some media personnel covering the operations to intimidation, harassment and harm, and has further widened the rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions of the now dissolved UniTeam Alliance.

• Operation at KOJC compound could end months-long search for Quiboloy

'NO TURNING BACK'

Some 2,000 police officers have entered to the said compound to arrest Pastor Quiboloy who is facing charges of abuse and human trafficking. 

•Quiboloy underground bunker stumps cops; some KOJC members arrested

PNP officials have also reported their findings to Abalos. They will still have to assess how long they will have to do the operations. 

"Pagod na pagod ng mga kapulisan, dami ng hamon ng sumampala sa kapulisan  (Our police personnel are very tired and they are facing many challenges). And yet we are persistent in capturing Pastor Quiboloy," Abalos said. 

Abalos said there is “no turning back” on the part of the PNP until Quiboloy is arrested. 

— from a report by Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News

RELATED VIDEO