Quiboloy surrendered to stop 'lawless violence' in KOJC compound —lawyer

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy decided to surrender to the police and military to stop the "lawless violence" in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound, the religious group’s lawyer said Monday.

“...Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy decided to surrender to the PNP/AFP because he does not want the lawless violence to continue to happen in the KOJC Compound,” KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon said in a statement.

“...He could not bear to witness a second longer the sufferings that his flock was experiencing for many days,” he added.

According to Torreon, Quiboloy “was out of reach for a number of days” because he was waiting for “positive results” of the legal remedies that his lawyers availed.

Torreon lamented that the arrest warrants against Quiboloy were used as a license to turn the KOJC compound into a supposed police garrison. He added that the KOJC Cathedral was “desecrated” and the Jose Maria College School became a “mining pit.”

According to Torreon, Quiboloy’s followers experienced brutalities that led to a death, injuries, and arrests of some members. Some vehicles in the KOJC were also confiscated, he added.

He said Quiboloy turned himself in to authorities through the following government official and military and police personnel “whose character, integrity, and honesty convinced Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to submit himself to the folds of the law”:

• Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib
• Army Major General Allan Hambala
• Colonel Guilbert  Roy Ruiz 
• Lieutenant Colonel Jovily Carmel Cabading
• Lieutenant Colonel Pete Malaluan
• Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo “Ray” Garcia
• Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz
• Major General Leo Francisco
• Police Colonel Cholijun Caduyac
• Police Colonel Mike Mangahis
• Police Major Edgardo Bahan
• Retired Police Colonel Emil Zosa
• Police Major General Benjamin Silo Jr. 

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding Torreon's statement but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

In an interview with GMA Regional TV One MIndanao, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib confirmed that he acted as bridge between the  KOJC camp and the military for the surrender of Quiboloy.

Jubahib said Torreon, who also served as the governor’s legal counsel, reached out to him on August 30 to facilitate the surrender of Quiboloy to military officials.

“Nung Friday at Saturday yun ang nakasunduan na kung mag-final talaga magdesisyon at mismong si Chief ISAFP ang magsundo kay Pastor,” he said.

(On Friday and Saturday, it was agreed that if there is a final decision, Chief ISAFP himself will meet Pastor.)

“Yung KOJC naman, si Atty. Torreon, siya naman ang mag-inform sa mga PNP commanders (The KOJC, Atty. Torreon, he will inform the PNP commanders),” he added.

However, the governor said he decided not to join the final negotiations as he only intended to connect the KOJC camp to the military.

The PNP on Sunday said Quiboloy surrendered after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the police gave Quiboloy the ultimatum to surrender within 24 hours, 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.

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

Quiboloy was brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City around 9:10 p.m.

Arrest warrants were issued against Quiboloy and others for alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act as well as qualified human trafficking.

The police have been trying to implement arrest warrants against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound since August 24.

Quiboloy has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

Quiboloy's camp has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News