NBI 'informally investigates' regional director amid bribery allegations

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had informally investigated NBI Region 11 Director Archie Albao amid allegations that the regional director supposedly received bribes from Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo  Quiboloy.

“Actually we have already conducted, hindi pa formal, informal investigation. But I’m  sorry to say na I still have the trust, pinagkakatiwalaan ko pa rin ang  aking regional director doon, si Director Albao,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a Tuesday press conference.

(Actually, we have already conducted, it’s not yet formal, an informal  investigation. But I’m sorry to say that he still has my trust, I still trust my regional director there, Director Albao.)

“Kasi  alam niyo, sinasabi nila, particularly si [Arlene] Stone, na hokus pokus lang daw ‘yung aming, yung ginawang raid,” Santiago added.

(Because you know, what they are saying, particularly Arlene Stone, that it was only a pretend raid.)

Last week, NBI-Region 11 served another warrant against Quiboloy at the KOJC in Davao City.

Following this, former KOJC member Arlene Stone called for an investigation against Albao for bribery.

In the video, Stone said that she herself handed the bribes, but that she was not sure if it continued after she left the KOJC.

For his part, Santiago said that Albao had no connections to former  President Rodrigo Duterte as he was appointed by President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr. in October 2022.

“Ngayon during the time ng appointment niya, Pastor Quiboloy is a known tumutulong. Mabait na tao. Wala naman siyang kaso noon, during those days. So ano bang masama na yung pastor ay tumutulong doon sa government agencies, giving them financial, whatever support. Yung sinasabi ni Stone na siya pa ang nag aabot," explained Santiago.

"Ano ang masama sa matinong tao na tumutulong sa aming agency? Miski ako yung panahon na yon, 'Thank you po sir. Maraming salamat po.' Yung sinasabi ni Stone na siya pa ang nag aabot."

In November 2021, US  prosecutors  indicted Quiboloy and others for allegedly running a sex trafficking operation, supposedly threatening victims as young as  12 years old with "eternal damnation" and physical abuse.

In February 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released wanted posters of Quiboloy.

“Now, ibang storya na yung wala na si Stone, hinahanap na natin si Quiboloy.  Ngayon tatanggap si Albao, ay kakastiguhin ko siya. Pero wala na eh.  Miski si Stone wala na,” Santiago added.

In the Philippines, the charges against Quiboloy were filed in March 2024.

Qualified Human Trafficking charges under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended, pursuant to the Resolution were filed against Quiboloy before a  Pasig court.

Meanwhile, charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special  Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination  Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act were also filed against  Quiboloy before a Davao court.

Santiago also stressed that what occurred on August 9 was not a raid, but a service of a warrant. He also instructed Albao to convince Quiboloy to surrender peacefully.

“And ang instruction ko, instruction ko ha, kay  Director Albao, if— kung nandoon si Pastor Quiboloy, if you can convince him to surrender peacefully, do it. Ayaw ko na may dadanap ng dugo,  ayaw ko na may masasaktan,” he said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News