PNP offering help to serve subpoenas on Quiboloy

Apollo Quiboloy

The Philippine National Police has offered its assistance to Senate and House leaders in serving subpoenas to televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who has gone into hiding as he faces an investigation for allegations of trafficking and sexual abuse in his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect in Davao City.

Quiboloy, who is also wanted by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for sex trafficking of children and a string of other criminal cases, has snubbed invitations by the two chambers to appear in their respective hearings.

“If [the House] and Senate will seek the assistance of the PNP in serving the subpoenas, then we are ready to assist them,” acting PNP public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo told a press briefing on Thursday.

In Davao City, police chief Col. Alberto Lupaz said Quiboloy’s camp had not sought protection from the local police, despite his earlier claim he had been targeted for assassination by the United States in a purported conspiracy with the Philippine government.

Lupaz clarified, however, that the Police Security and Protection Group was the unit tasked to provide such protection should it be requested.

Cited in contempt

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday she was ready to cite Quiboloy in contempt of the chamber and order his arrest should he fail to attend the next hearing on March 5.

Hontiveros’ committee on women and children is investigating complaints of mistreatment made by former KOJC followers and workers against Quiboloy, such as sexual and physical abuse and torture.

The House legislative franchises panel, on the other hand, is looking into the alleged franchise violations of Quiboloy’s Sonshine Media Network International, including making threats to a lawmaker and spreading disinformation.

Fajardo said the PNP “will not interfere” in the meantime, as there was no official request from either legislative chamber so far.

“Let’s wait if Pastor Quiboloy will respond… We have to wait during the day (March 5). If ever he will opt not to attend, I’m sure the Senate has the full authority on how to proceed in case of non-appearance,” she told reporters.

In a 36-minute voice recording uploaded on YouTube on Wednesday, Quiboloy said he was in hiding after receiving death threats. He accused the United States, with the assistance of the Philippine government, of plotting to “eliminate” him.

Duterte spiritual adviser

Quiboloy, a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said he was “in our compound here in Tamayong,” a rural village in Davao City.

According to him, US authorities were planning to “enter my compound and they will have me kidnapped… or they will have me murdered.”

Quiboloy accused President Marcos of having “connived” with the Americans to carry out the plot.

“You have given me to the hands of the Americans,” he said, addressing the President. “They are just waiting for the right opportunity to kidnap me, or kill me, or assassinate me.”

But Fajardo said there was no information on any supposed threat to Quiboloy’s life.

“We categorically deny any knowledge of the supposed plot. We remain focused on our mandate,” she said.

“If he has a basis for his claim saying that—as always, whether it’s a government official or ordinary citizen with a death threat—the PNP is ready to provide appropriate security if requested,” Fajardo said.

Not above the law

In Davao City, Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for the regional police in Davao, said she would verify if Quiboloy had indeed sought protection from the police office.

At the House, lawmakers reminded the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” that he was not above the law.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ako Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre said that while most House members did not wish to legitimize Quiboloy’s claims, including Speaker Martin Romualdez’s purported role in the conspiracy against him, “the House still needs to deal with it, as we will implement the law.”

“If he does not appear (on March 12), then we will be constrained to execute the subpoena and make sure that he is here to answer the questions and issues being raised against him,” Acidre said.

In 2022, the FBI issued a poster marking Quiboloy as a “wanted” man for his alleged participation in “a labor trafficking scheme that brought [his] church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

According to the FBI, Quiboloy was also charged with 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. —WITH REPORTS FROM KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING in Manila; GERMELINA LACORTE AND JOSELLE BADILLA, INQUIRER MINDANAO