Police serve arrest warrant vs Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City

The Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday went to a property owned by Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) to serve the arrest warrant against the group's leader, Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.

According to John Ryan Calonia’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, authorities served the warrant inside the KOJC Dome at Buhangin District past 5 a.m. 

A separate report by GMA Regional TV's Rgil Relator on Balitanghali said authorities attempted to enter the compound’s gate through a ladder.

This caused tension between KOJC missionaries, who were waiting outside the compound, and the police officers. They stressed that the move was meant to intimidate and coerce Quiboloy, who is facing 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.

Quiboloy’s legal counsel and authorities later agreed to allow inside four teams composed of six personnel who would search the grounds.

Authorities left past 8 a.m. They reportedly also entered Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong. 

Quiboloys' cases were initially filed in Davao, but the Supreme Court allowed these to be transferred to a Quezon City court to avoid a miscarriage of justice.

Quiboloy is also facing a non-bailable Qualified Human Trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended before a Pasig court. He has denied the accusations against him.

In an ambush interview, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero emphasized that the implementation of arrest warrants issued by a court will be prioritized over the order made by the Senate.

The Senate, under former Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri's leadership, issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for failing to appear before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality's investigation into his alleged involvement in human trafficking and sexual abuses of KOJC members.

"Kung titimbangin ngayon ang arrest warrant na in-issue ng korte at subpoena na in-issue ng Senado, malayong mas matimbang ang arrest warrant na in-issue ng husgado at korte...unang mai-implement 'yun kung saka-sakali...Priority pa rin yung criminal case palagi," Escudero, a lawyer, said.

(If we weigh the arrest warrant issued by the court and the subpoena issued by the Senate, the arrest issued by the judge and the court would weigh more. That will be implemented first. Criminal cases are always a priority.)

Should authorities capture Quiboloy, Escudero said that is the time when the Senate can request to bring the KOJC leader before the investigating committee for his attendance.

Asked if he will stop the investigation on Quiboloy, Escudero said, "Nagpapatuloy 'yun sa aking pagkakaalam. Naantala lamang noon dahil nga hindi pa ma-locate si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy na isinubpoena na ng komite."

(The investigation still continues. It was just halted because Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who was subpoenaed by the committee, could not be located.) 

Meanwhile, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) anchor Lorraine Badoy slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for allegedly “ordering” the arrest of Quiboloy. 

Quiboloy is an honorary chairman of SMNI.

“Bongbong Marcos has lost all moral ascendancy to lead us because he himself has become the destroyer of our people and our democracy,” Badoy said in a statement.

The warrants against Quiboloy were issued by Davao and Pasig courts in relation to the charges filed against him. 

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo appealed to Quiboloy’s supporters and friends to be calm and not hamper the operation as the authorities only sought to implement the warrant issued by the courts.

“Ang inyo pong kapulisan ay nandoon po for official discharge of their duties. Wala pong hangarin ang ating kapulisan na magkaroon po ng ano mang sakitan at ano mang pagkakagulo,” Fajardo said in a media briefing.

(Your police officers are there for the official discharge of their duties. We don’t have any desire to cause chaos.) 

She also asked Quiboloy and his co-accused to surrender. Fajardo said she believes that the pastor remains in the country.

“Para mabigyan din po sila ng pagkakataon na sagutin itong mga reklamo. I think ‘yung courts po ay ‘yun po ‘yung proper venue para sagutin po itong mga reklamong sinampa sa kanila,” Fajardo said.

(So they would also be given a chance to answer the charges. I think the courts are the proper venue to answer these charges.)

GMA News Online has sought Malacañang for comment regarding Badoy's allegation, but it has yet to receive a response as of posting time. —Joahna Lei Casilao and Hana Bordey/KBK, GMA Integrated News