Hunt on for Quiboloy: ‘No special treatment’

Apollo Quiboloy INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Davao City police failed to locate televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in at least three areas in Davao Region on Wednesday, as they tried to serve an arrest warrant issued against him on charges of maltreating and sexually abusing a young follower of his church 10 years ago.

But they were able to find one of the five other respondents, Cresente Canada, outside the village government building of Barangay Tamayong, near the so-called Prayer Mountain of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect around 3 p.m.

Two other Quiboloy associates, Paulene Canada and Sylvia Camañes, surrendered to the NBI office on Wednesday, while the last two, Jackielyn Roy and Ingrid Canada, remained at large, according to NBI regional director Archie Albao.

READ: Quiboloy arrest, detention at Senate ordered

The NBI and police teams also searched for Quiboloy at the Jose Maria College compound near the Davao City airport, and at his resort in Barangay Caliclic on Samal Island but found no trace of the KOJC leader, Albao said.

Manhunt will continue

The manhunt will continue, as the law enforcers must report to the court within 10 days.

The Davao City police vowed to treat Quiboloy like any ordinary crime suspect once placed in their custody.

But Police Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 11, and Police Capt. Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson for the Davao City police, said their various units were still discussing where exactly to detain the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God.”

“Whether he would be put in the custodial facility in the [Camp Domingo Leonor] barracks or in a police station where he belongs still has to be decided,” Dela Rey said, referring to the Davao police headquarters.

“We don’t have a special facility for special persons… Once the warrant is served, he will be put in the custodial facility along with other criminal offenders. There will be no special treatment for the pastor,” she told reporters.

Top police officials in the region were to meet behind closed doors later on Wednesday to decide which custodial facility would be used to hold Quiboloy, Dela Rey added.

Quiboloy and the five others were ordered arrested in connection with complaints of child abuse and sexual abuse. The case is being handled by Judge Dante Baguio of the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 12.

No more waiting

In an order dated April 1, Baguio directed law enforcers to implement the warrants issued against the six in March, citing the absence of a resolution regarding the motion for reconsideration filed by Quiboloy’s lawyers in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Quiboloy’s lawyers wanted to have the arrest orders deferred in view of his pending motion in the DOJ. But the court said it had waited long enough, noting that it had never furnished a copy of Quiboloy’s motion or even a manifestation that he had taken such a step.

“Having received none as of this date, the court declines this time to await. As what was earlier determined upon judicious examination and perusal of information where it found probable cause, let the warrants of arrest be implemented immediately,” it ruled.

The charges against Quiboloy are for violations of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

While these complaints are bailable, the six respondents are facing a separate case for qualified trafficking in persons—a nonbailable charge—in a Pasig City court. On Wednesday, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the Pasig City Regional Trial Court had not yet issued an arrest warrant in connection with this case.

Besides facing charges in Philippine courts, the politically influential preacher is also on the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States 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; bulk cash smuggling.”

Series of abuses

On March 4, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ had granted the petition for review filed by an unnamed complainant who had accused Quiboloy of repeated abuses dating back to 2011. These include an alleged rape committed in 2014, when the complainant was only 17 years old.

In 2020, the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the complaints for rape, qualified human trafficking, and child abuse against Quiboloy and his coaccused, but the DOJ later overturned the decision.

The alleged victim had also complained of emotional and physical mistreatment and forced labor without compensation “all under the guise of religious service” at the Davao-based KOJC.

“Despite the dismissal of her initial complaints and a subsequent denial of her motion for reconsideration, the complainant’s persistent legal battle has brought new light to the gravity of her accusations,” the DOJ said.

More allegations of sexual misconduct, child abuse and human trafficking had been made against Quiboloy during a Senate inquiry. These included testimonies from three women, two of them Ukrainian, who accused him of abusing them in the name of religious servitude.

Without facing them in the Senate, Quiboloy has denied their accusations.

‘Happy days numbered’

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women and children, the panel that investigated the claims, said the preacher’s day of reckoning was drawing near.

“Quiboloy’s happy days are numbered. Almost all institutions in the Philippines are working to hold him accountable,” she said.

“He should just cooperate and properly answer the accusations hurled against him. If he’s innocent, there’s no need for him to hide,” she said.

“I call on Quiboloy to stop the drama. He has done many things to evade his accountability under the law,” she added.

In January, Hontiveros’ committee heard testimonies from former KOJC “pastoral” workers, some of them minors, who were “allegedly involved in performing personal tasks, including sexual acts, for Quiboloy.”

At the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said the release of the arrest orders was a “significant development.”

“We stand in solidarity with the victims and advocates seeking justice in this case. It is imperative that the legal process moves swiftly to ensure that those responsible for heinous crimes are held accountable and that justice is served,” said Castro.Brosas said the allegations against Quiboloy were “deeply troubling, as they involve allegations of sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment within his organization.”

“[No] one, regardless of their stature or connections, should be above the law,” she said.

Supported by Dutertes

The House committee on legislative franchises also launched a separate investigation into the alleged franchise violations of the Quiboloy-owned Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), KOJC’s media arm.

The SMNI was mainly cited for allegedly spreading disinformation to malign the House leadership and airing former President Rodrigo Duterte’s threats against a House member.

Known as Duterte’s spiritual adviser, Quiboloy maintains close ties with the ex-president’s family, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

On March 12, as pressure mounted on Quiboloy for him to finally face the Senate and House inquiries, the two Dutertes attended a prayer rally organized by the pastor’s supporters at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. WITH REPORTS FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH, REUTERS, MARLON RAMOS AND KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING