Quiboloy surrendered after PNP issued 24-hour ultimatum

Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy surrendered after he was given an ultimatum by the Philippine National Police to turn himself in within 24 hours, the police organization said Sunday.

In a brief press conference at Camp Crame, where the fugitive pastor had been brought, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the police force gave him the ultimatum to surrender within that period, otherwise a building in the KOJC compound in Davao City would be entered by authorities.

Negotiations started at around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“Kanina pong mga bandang ala-una y medya ng hapon ay nagkaroon ng negosasyon para po sa mapayapa po nilang pagsuko dahil binigyan po natin sila ng ultimatum na within 24 hours ay kailangan na po nilang sumuko at nagkaroon po ng negotiation, so ito po ay joint efforts ng PNP and AFP,” Fajardo said.

(There was a negotiation earlier, around 1:30 p.m., for their peaceful surrender and we gave them a 24-hour ultimatum to surrender. There was a negotiation, and this was a joint effort of the PNP and AFP).

“Nagbigay po ang PNP po ng ultimatum po na sumuko po sila, otherwise po ay papasukin po natin ‘yung isang particular building na hindi po tayo pinapayagang pumasok so nagkaroon ng negotiation,” she said in an interview late Sunday evening.

(The PNP gave an ultimatum for them to surrender, otherwise we will enter a particular building that we are not allowed to, so there was a negotiation.)

Quiboloy then turned himself in to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) at around 5:30 p.m. Also captured were Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Crisente Canada, Syliva Cemañes.

They were flown out from Davao at 6:30 p.m. and arrived at the Villamor Airbase at around 8:30 p.m. They were taken to Camp Crame in Quezon City, arriving at around 9:10 p.m., and underwent the booking process.

“Na-inspect na rin po sila at nasa maayos naman po silang kondisyon, although some of them, based po doon sa medical examination, ay mataas po ‘yung BP [blood pressure]. Pero other than that, okay naman po sila at tuluy-tuloy po ‘yung processing,” Fajardo said.

(They were inspected and they are in good condition, although some of them, based on the medical examination, had high blood pressure. But other than that, they are okay and processing continues.)

Fajardo said they were all read their charges with their legal counsels present. Quiboloy in particular is facing three charges involving child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified trafficking.

READ: TIMELINE: Apollo Quiboloy's legal troubles

In June, authorities first served the warrants of arrest against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound, the Prayer Mountain, and the Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, Davao City, as well as on the KOJC's property in Kitbog, Sarangani Province, but did not find the pastor.

Last August 24, the PNP deployed 2,000 cops to again search for Quiboloy at the KOJC compound and serve the arrest warrants on him and his co-accused. Due to the vastness of the compound, it took awhile for the police to comb through the entire area.

READ: TIMELINE: The search for KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy

“Pinagtulungan po ito that led to the peaceful surrender po ni Pastor Quiboloy at apat pa, at nagpapasalamat po tayo doon sa naging mapayapa pong… at least nitong prosesong ito,” she said.

(This is a joint effort that led to the peaceful surrender of Pastor Quiboloy and four others, and we are thankful for the peaceful process.)

Asked regarding the custodial arrangements, Fajardo said this was still being processed but they would most likely be detained in separate units. Their warrants of arrest are expected to be returned to the courts on Monday, September 9. — BM/KG, GMA Integrated News