Quiboloy still elusive; PNP warns protectors

Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

DAVAO CITY — Fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy avoided capture for a second day running as authorities combed the sprawling “Prayer Mountain” of his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect here in search of the man accused of repeatedly abusing a young follower over a decade ago.

But all five of Quiboloy’s associates and co-accused have been accounted for, with the first three being booked and processed on Wednesday, followed by the last pair who yielded to the National Bureau of Investigation the next day.

READ: Quiboloy now a wanted fugitive in PH — police

Out on bail are Cresente Canada, who was arrested on Wednesday; Paulene Canada and Sylvia Cemañes, who turned themselves in on the same day; and Jackielyn Roy and Ingrid Canada, who submitted themselves to the NBI’s Davao office on Thursday morning, said NBI regional director Archie Albao.

The recommended bail for their conditional release in the child abuse case stood at P80,000 each.

A joint team of police and NBI operatives scoured KOJC’s compound in Barangay Tamayong in search of Quiboloy but he was nowhere to be found.

“We had to go back because the place was too large to be covered in one day. There are many areas we haven’t entered,” Albao said.

He clarified, however, that the authorities did not have a warrant to search all known KOJC properties in the city and region, except the arrest order, which only covered the Prayer Mountain in Tamayong village as Quiboloy’s address.

On Wednesday, the arresting officers also tried to find the preacher at the Jose Maria College compound near the Davao City airport, and his resort in Barangay Caliclic on Samal Island.

READ: OSSA to arrive in Davao in next few days to serve arrest order vs Quiboloy

Albao said KOJC staff had allowed entry to these properties even without a search warrant.

“We never had any problem entering the area… They allowed us in without any resistance. They even welcomed us to the Glory Mountain (another KOJC property in Tamayong) and to the other properties of the KOJC like the Jose Maria College compound near the airport and Samal Island,” he said.

He said the arrest warrant would be served only in places known to have been frequented by the accused, including areas where he had resided or set up an office.

Albao said the law enforcers had also initiated negotiations with the pastor’s lawyers to encourage him to surrender, with no success so far.

“We don’t know where he could be hiding; otherwise, we could have already found him. But we’re certain that he is still in the country; whether he is still in Davao City or not, that we no longer know for certain,” Albao said.

He said the NBI would continue to hunt down Quiboloy and report its progress to the court in 10 days.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo urged the KOJC leader to surrender.

“Through the intercession of his lawyer, we hope he will face the arrest warrants because these are bailable, anyway,” she said, adding: “We hope they will cooperate and face the arrest warrants against him.”

Fajardo also appealed to the loved ones and supporters of Quiboloy to convince him to yield, assuring them that his human rights would be respected and that he would be given the opportunity to defend himself.

“We know he has many supporters, that’s why the PNP is also careful. But we’re hoping and praying cooler heads will prevail in the end so there won’t be trouble with his supporters in implementing his arrest,” she said.

The PNP official warned those who may be protecting Quiboloy that they could be held liable.

“We want to appeal to those who may be taking care or accommodating Pastor Quiboloy… you could face charges in case you are proven to be protecting someone who is wanted by authorities,” Fajardo said.

Quiboloy is charged with violations of Sections 5(b) and 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Recommended bail

The first one punishes those “who commit the act of sexual intercourse of lascivious conduct with a child exploited in prostitution or subject to other sexual abuse,” while the second punishes those “who shall commit any other acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation or to be responsible for other conditions prejudicial to the child’s development.”

Prosecutors said the two charges carried P180,000 bail and P80,000 bail, respectively.

The six are facing a separate charge of qualified trafficking in persons, which is nonbailable, in a Pasig City court, but no warrant has been issued in connection with this case to date.

Quiboloy 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.”

On March 4, the Department of Justice said it reversed the 2020 decision of the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office dismissing the complaints for rape, qualified human trafficking, and child abuse against Quiboloy and his coaccused.

The unnamed complainant had accused Quiboloy of repeated abuses dating back to 2011, including an alleged rape committed in 2014, when she was 17.

The six were also accused of emotional and physical mistreatment and forced labor without compensation, “all under the guise of religious service” at the Davao-based KOJC.