Authorities checking possible locations for Quiboloy — PNP

Authorities are looking at possible locations for Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy after not finding him at his properties in Davao City and Samal Island, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the PNP and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) assisted the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) in serving the arrest order to Quiboloy on Wednesday.

“Tatlo po yung lugar na pinasyalan po nila kahapon but unfortunately wala nga po doon at hindi natsempuhan doon si Pastor Quiboloy,” she said in a press briefing.

(They visited three places yesterday but unfortunately Pastor Quiboloy was not found in any of the locations.)

Due to this, only Quiboloy’s lawyers received the arrest order from OSAA. The lawyers also allowed the authorities to check some rooms in the said properties.

“In fairness naman po doon sa mga lawyers na nag-receive, pinapasok naman po yung mga OSAA members, pati po yung PNP at NBI. Binuksan yung ibang mga kuwarto po doon but again wala doon si Pastor Quiboloy,” Fajardo said.

(In fairness to the lawyers, they provided access to the OSAA members as well as the PNP and NBI to the properties. The other rooms there were also checked but again Pastor Quiboloy was not there.)

Asked if the authorities received information on Quiboloy’s possible location, Fajardo said they are now checking some areas but she cannot divulge them.

“Meron tayong mga lugar na chine-check po ngayon and I am not at liberty to reveal. Yung ating paghahanap ay extended po yan outside Davao Region. As to the specific areas, I am not at liberty to reveal,” she said.

(We have areas that are being checked right now but I am not at liberty to reveal them. Our search is extended outside Davao Region. As to the specific areas, I am not at liberty to reveal.)

The Senate issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for “unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices” at the hearings on his alleged involvement in sexual abuses of his members and human trafficking issues.

A Davao court has also issued a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and five others over charges of child abuse.

A Senate hearing was conducted on the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse of some KOJC members, while a House hearing is tackling issues against the franchise renewal of Quiboloy’s Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI).

In the United States, Central District of California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. on March 7 ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

The unsealing was requested by the United States Attorney Criminal Division handling Quiboloy’s case, which involves charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.

“Upon application of the government, and for good cause shown, the arrest warrants and returns in this case are unsealed,” Hatter said in his order dated March 1, 2024.

According to New York lawyer Lara Gregory, this could be the first step in initiating the extradition process by the US Department of Justice for Quiboloy.

Now that the arrest warrants for Quiboloy and his co-accused have been unsealed, INTERPOL may also issue Red Notices for their names to be put on notice, he added.