Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested: DILG | ABS-CBN

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Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested: DILG

Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested: DILG

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Sep 09, 2024 02:29 PM PHT

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Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Photo courtesy of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on FacebookPastor Apollo Quiboloy. Photo courtesy of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Facebook

MANILA (4th UPDATE) -- Fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police, weeks after authorities started searching the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.

PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said Sunday night that Quiboloy surrendered "peacefully" following negotiations, along with Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes.

"Nangyari itong pangyayari na ito, dahil kanina, bandang ala una y medya ng hapon, nagkaroon po ng ng negosasyon para sa mapayapa po nilang pagsuko," she said. 

"Binigyan po natin sila ng ultimatum na within 24 hours po ay kailangan nila sumuko at nagkaroon po ng negotation. Ito po ay joint efforts po ng PNP and AFP," she added. 

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Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos first announced the development on social media.

Quiboloy's surrender comes over two weeks after around 2,000 personnel of the PNP went to the KOJC compound to serve an arrest warrant against him.

"Sa loob po ng KOJC compound natin sila nakita," Fajardo said.

The pastor, along with his co-accused, arrived at the Villamor Airbase from Davao around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday and are now in a custodial facility, according to Fajardo. They are currently undergoing the booking process after a physical and medical examination. 

"Nasa maayos naman silang kundisyon, although some of them -- based po doon sa medical examination -- medyo mataas ang BP [blood pressure]," said Fajardo. "Pero other that, okay naman po sila, at tuloy-tuloy po ang processing ngayon."

"Pagdating po nila dito sa custodial [facility], isinerve po 'yung warrant arrest sa kanila," she added. "Binasahan po sila ng kaso po nila at nakaharap po ang kanilang abogado … Binasahan rin po sila ng kanilang mga miranda rights at mga karapatan po."

-- 'A relief' -- 

PNP Regional Office 11 chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who led the extensive manhunt at the 33-hectare compound in Davao City, heaved a sigh of relief following Quiboloy's supposed "surrender."
PNP Regional Office 11 chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who led the extensive manhunt at the 33-hectare compound in Davao City, heaved a sigh of relief following Quiboloy's supposed "surrender."

"It's a relief. Malaki ang relief. Matutulog muna ako," Torre told the press. 

The police official, however, refused to divulge details of the arrest. 

"I was informed by the secretary that Quiboloy has already surrendered. So nahuli na. Hindi ko alam ang details," said Torre.  

Torre thanked the police officers, who participated in the raid at the KOJC compound.

"Ako po ay nagpapasalamat ating kapulisan. Sama samang tulong a misyon na ito. I do hope na kapit lang. Marami pa tayong trabaho sa future," he said.

It is not known if the US has sought extradition for Quiboloy, aged at least 74 according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A US embassy spokesman referred media queries to the Philippine authorities.

Quiboloy's legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said in a statement that the pastor "voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces, or ISAFP."

"He was not arrested, especially not by the Philippine National Police under the DILG," he stressed. "As usual, Pastor Quiboloy's legal team shall continue to protect his rights under the Constitution and the laws as we prepare for his defense."

-- 'You cannot outrun the law' -- 

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who launched a Senate probe on Quiboloy's alleged illegal activities, lauded the arrest. 
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who launched a Senate probe on Quiboloy's alleged illegal activities, lauded the arrest. 

"Abot kamay na ng mga victim-survivors ang hustisya, salamat sa kanilang paglalakas-loob na magsabi ng katotohanan," she said. 

"We commend our law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts and dedication, despite Quiboloy's tactics." 

She said the Senate probe on Quiboloy's activities will push through. 

"Bilang na ang araw ng tulad nilang naghahari-harian, nambabastos sa batas, at nang-aabuso sa kababaihan, kabataan, at kapwa nating Pilipino. Abot kamay na ng mga victim-survivors ang hustisya, salamat sa kanilang paglalakas-loob na magsabi ng katotohanan," said the senator. 

"Mananagot ka, Apollo Quiboloy. You cannot outrun the law. You will not further delay justice."

Quiboloy's last public sighting and statement was earlier this year, when he accused the Marcos administration and the United States of a "conspiracy" to "eliminate" him.

Since then, the pastor's legal troubles had piled up. Aside from being wanted in the US for sex trafficking, fraud and other crimes, Quiboloy also faces arrest warrants from the Senate for skipping its probe on alleged abuse in the KOJC and from two courts for child and sexual abuse and human trafficking charges.

Before being the subject of police operations, Quiboloy was a powerful religious and political figure based in Davao City, from where he oversaw a religious group with a claimed membership in the millions and who believe they are "the culmination of everything written in the word of God."

In June, the Philippine justice department charged Quiboloy with sexual abuse. Quiboloy and five other defendants have also been charged with qualified human trafficking and other acts of child abuse.

Quiboloy said he wanted a written guarantee from the Philippine government that "there will be no American interference and no extraordinary rendition" in the case if he surrenders to face charges in the Philippines. 

The term refers to a US government practice of sending detained suspected members of terror organizations to another country for imprisonment and interrogation.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter -- incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte who has had a falling out with President Ferdinand Marcos -- had publicly criticized the police raid of the sect's 30-hectare (70-acre) property as they searched for Quiboloy.

Minutes after Quiboloy's arrest was announced, SMNI, a Philippine television station run by his sect, posted on its Facebook page pictures of members embracing uniformed police officers.

"After all the pains and struggles, it is evident that the KOJC missionaries have embraced Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's teaching to love not only their neighbors but even their enemies," it said in a message accompanying the photos. -- with Agence France-Presse

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