Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos uploads this photo on his Facebook account showing lawyer Israelito Torreon (middle) and the fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy (extreme right), who is now in the custody of authorities Sunday night. —Screengrab from the Facebook post of Benhur Abalos
MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced on Sunday.
Abalos bared the news in a short Facebook post, but he did not reveal details of Quiboloy’s arrest.
“NAHULI NA PO SI APOLLO QUIBOLOY,” his post said.
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He likewise posted a photo of the religious leader with the same caption.
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Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 11 chief Brig. General Nicolas Torre III said a plane arrived in Davao City but clarified that he was unsure whether it was used to fetch the fugitive.
“I think so I would like to think na dito talaga nanggaling sa Davao dahil pinasundo ng eroplano and may convoy na pinalabas sa KJC,” Torre said in a press conference held shortly after Abalos made the announcement.
(I think so. I would like to think that Quiboloy came from Davao since an airplane came here and a convoy was ordered to leave the KJC compound.)
“Basta namataan natin ang C-130 na nag-landing sa TOG (Tactical Operations Group) 11 pagkatapos may utos sa atin na palabasin ang siyam na sasakyan dun sa hangar papunta sa loob ng airport pina-guide ng ating AVSEU (Aviation Security Group) unit natin dinala sa eroplano,” he added.
(We spotted a C-130 plane that landed at the TOG 11 and after that, there was an order to release nine vehicles from the hanger going to the airport. Our AVSEU unit asked to guide the vehicles towards the plane.)
Torre likewise thanked Quiboloy for his “realization” to “do the right thing.”
“There’s no doubt that he’s here, napagaralan natin kaya lang medyo humaba ang ating paghahanap dahil napakalaki ng lugar at ako’y nagpapasalamat kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for the realization na ito na ang tamang gawin,” he added.
(There’s no doubt that he’s here, we studied this but the operation took longer than expected since the area is huge. I am also thankful for Quiboloy for this realization that this is the right thing to do.)
INQUIRER.net tried getting more details from Abalos but he has yet to reply as of posting time.
On reports whether Quiboloy was arrested or reportedly turned himself in before the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), its spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they “defer to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide details on the situation.”
“The AFP has been in full support of the PNP from the onset of the operation related to the case of Mr. Apollo Quiboloy. Our role in this matter has been purely in support of the PNP’s efforts in serving the warrant,” Padilla’s statement read.
“As this is primarily a police operation, we defer to the PNP to provide the details and updates on the situation. The AFP remains committed to assisting our law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order whenever necessary,” she added.
A Davao Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and his five subordinates on April 3. They are facing charges of violating the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.
Days later on April 11, a Pasig City court also issued a warrant for the arrest of the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” for qualified human trafficking, a nonbailable offense.
Last August 24 around 2,000 members of the PNP raided the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Buhangin District, Davao City to serve arrest warrants against the religious leader.
Authorities first raided the KJC compound last June 10, but members of the religious sect prevented them from entering.