PNP: No info on threat to Quiboloy's life

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it has no information on the alleged threat to the life of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, as claimed by the religious leader.

"Sa ngayon, except for his pronouncement, wala pong natatanggap na information ang PNP with respect to the threat against his life," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press conference.

(Right now, except for his pronouncement, the PNP has not received any information with respect to the threat against his life.)

Fajardo said that if Quiboloy has "basis for his claim," the PNP can provide him security upon request.

"As always po, not limited to him, lahat po ng talaga, whether it is a government official or ordinary citizen na may natatanggap po na banta sa kanyang buhay, ay lagi naman pong ready mag-provide ang PNP po ng appropriate security if there is a request for one po," she said.

(As always, the PNP is ready to provide appropriate security if there is a request, whether it is a government official or ordinary citizen who receives a threat on his life. This is for everyone and not limited to Mr. Quiboloy.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from Quiboloy's lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio on the matter, but he has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Elimination through rendition

Quiboloy earlier accused the United States government, allegedly with help from Philippine government officials, of plotting to "eliminate" him through rendition in connection with the cases he is facing in the US.

Citing sources, Quiboloy said US government bodies like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are eyeing to conduct "rendition" on him instead of extradition.

With rendition, a suspect with an outstanding arrest warrant is forcibly abducted from another state, according to Oxford's definition.

Quiboloy said with rendition, authorities can barge into his compound at any time and kidnap him.

"It's not only rendition but also elimination. If it's possible, puwede nila akong i-assassinate (they can assassinate me)," Quiboloy said in an audio recording posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

In December 2023, a United States court set a new date for the trial of the criminal cases against Quiboloy to Nov. 5, 2024.

The proceedings are for charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, coercion, and sex trafficking of children, marriage fraud, fraud and misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, promotional money laundering, and international promotional money laundering.

America's 'confidence'

The United States on Wednesday expressed confidence that Quiboloy will undergo the justice process amid the cases filed against him in America.

"We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes. Questions about legal proceedings should be directed to the US Department of Justice," the US Embassy in Manila said.

"For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI's Most Wanted List," it added.

In the Philippines, both the Senate and House of Representatives have issued subpoenas against Quiboloy.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday warned Quiboloy of possible arrest should he fail to attend the next Senate hearing on the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse of his religious group members.

"Our next hearing is on March 5 and if Mr. Quiboloy does not show up, I will cite him in contempt and have him arrested," Hontiveros.

For its part, the House of Representatives on Monday issued a subpoena against Quiboloy in connection with the franchise renewal of the Sonshine Media Network Inc (SMNI).

Enforcing the law

Fajardo said the PNP will wait first for the response of Quiboloy on the matter and for the official request from the Senate before assisting in the possible arrest of or serving of subpoena against the KOJC leader.

Quiboloy earlier said he would not submit himself to the Senate inquiry into the allegations of sexual abuse made by former members of his religious organization.

He said he would only face the allegations against him before the courts.

"I will not subject myself to injustices that are done in a cloak of a Senate hearing... I will not subject to any of that, but I will face any of you... I will face you anywhere, anytime in a court of law," he previously said.

"Just do it. If you cannot do that, you are all bogus, you are all false. You don't deserve my respect because you don't respect my personal rights. I will not also respect your office as a senator," he added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News