DOJ defends P10-M reward for info leading to Quiboloy’s arrest

Apollo Quiboloy. Photo taken on February 7, 2016. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE | Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) defended on Tuesday the P10 million reward to anyone with information that may lead to the capture of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.

Quiboloy and his five co-accused are facing child abuse cases before a Davao City court. A Pasig City court also issued an arrest warrant against him for human trafficking.

Speaking at the Senate panel on public order and dangerous drugs’ hearing on the “excessive force” allegedly used by the Philippine National Police (PNP) within the KJC Compound, Justice Undersecretary Nicolas Felix Ty explained the difference between a bounty and a reward.

“This is a reward, not a bounty. A bounty is for people who should be arrested because they are convicts of a crime or they have [an] outstanding warrant of arrest,” said Ty.

“This reward covers many things, not just the arrest but information on the whereabouts of the various accused — including Pastor Quiboloy,” he added.

According to Ty, the DOJ has notified the committee about its opinion on the matter, noting that they earlier made clear that the reward to anyone who can offer information that may lead to Quiboloy’s arrest is legal.

“Why is this legal? First of all, this is part of our job in the justice sector. We need to implement our criminal laws, and we will not be able to implement them if the accused is nowhere to be found. Apart from that, it is clear in our system that it is not forbidden to offer rewards to be able to locate an accused and present him before the court,” Ty said in Filipino.

Prior to Ty’s explanation, KJC Executive Secretary Eleanor Cardona lamented the provision of a P10 million reward in exchange for information on Quiboloy’s whereabouts.

“The second question in this hearing is if it’s right or legal to offer a bounty amounting to P10 million even if the pastor has not been convicted in court. What was read by DILG hurts us because there’s no truth to it. We personally know that. We’ve been with him for 40 years and even one allegation to what was read by Sec. Abalos, may it be here in the Senate or court, it’s malicious. It’s disrespectful,” Cardona said in Filipino.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier announced that the P10 million reward would be shouldered by “friends who would like to help in arresting” Quiboloy.

He declined, however, to name the donors, saying they had chosen to stay anonymous and were “frustrated about what’s happening” in the alleged rapist’s cases.