Abalos hints at more obstruction raps for 'hiding' Quiboloy

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos indicated on Monday that authorities would file more complaints against those who got in the way of the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In a press conference, Abalos said the authorities discovered that Quiboloy was hiding inside the KOJC compound in Davao City after he was arrested on Sunday.

“Ito lang ang babala ko. With all these things na nangyari, I'm sure someone should be guilty of obstruction of justice for harboring, concealing someone who is wanted,” Abalos said.

(This is my warning. After everything that happened, I'm sure someone should be guilty of obstruction of justice for harboring and hiding someone who is wanted.)

“Sabi nga ni chief maraming panlilinlang lang na ginawa. Pangalawa, ang publiko mismo ang testigo rito kung papaano ilang beses kaming pinigilan, si General Torre…We should investigate this and those guilty should be sued accordingly,” he added.

(As the chief said, there were many cases of deception. Second, the public witnessed how General Torre was kept from doing his job many times... We should investigate this and those guilty should be sued accordingly.)

The PRO 11 earlier said 29 KOJC members are facing complaints after 60 police officers were hurt implementing the arrest warrants against Quiboloy.

PRO 11 spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said obstruction of justice and direct assault complaints were filed against the KOJC members.

The Philippine National Police (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 surrendered 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.

According to KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy decided to surrender to the police and military to stop the "lawless violence" in the KOJC compound.

“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,” Torreon said.

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

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 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. —NB, GMA Integrated News