Over half of witnesses vs. Quiboloy now in witness protection program

More than half of the witnesses against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy are already in the Justice department’s witness protection program (WPP), a lawmaker said Monday.

Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Jil Bongalon, the designated budget sponsor of the DOJ’s proposed P37.7-billion budget for 2025 during the House plenary deliberations, provided the information in response to a query from House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas.

“With regard to the victims of Pastor Apolo Quiboloy, more than half of the victims are already in the witness protection program and more will be considered under this program,” he said.

The DOJ has filed two counts of child abuse and one count of qualified human trafficking charges against Quiboloy so far.

Quiboloy and other KOJC members are also facing alleged 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 charges in the United States, with Quiboloy even named as one of the most wanted criminals by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Brosas asked if it would be better to prosecute Quiboloy in the US, so that the trial would be insulated from influential people who are defending Quiboloy.

“Because certain people are concerned if justice can be served here if there are powerful figures backing him right now. So it appears that attaining justice is more feasible in the US because he has also been indicted there [before charges were filed here]...that is the concern,” she said.

“[With charges also pending here], does this mean that he will have to face charges here first and held accountable in the US later? Would that be right?” Brosas added.

Bongalon, speaking for the DOJ, said that Philippine authorities will comply with the extradition treaty once the US government submits such a request. Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said that Quiboloy's extradition was "inevitable."

“Definitely, being a party to this [extradition] treaty, we will comply with the extradition [request],” Bongalon said.

Quiboloy denied involvement in these charges, saying these are politically motivated.

Quiboloy's legal counsel Israelito Torreon had also said that his client is innocent. — BM, GMA Integrated News