MANILA, Philippines – Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested as announced by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Sunday, September 8.
“Nahuli na po si Apollo Quiboloy,” seen in Abalos' Facebook post around 6:23 PM this Sunday, September 8.
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| Photo courtesy: Benhur Abalos (FB) |
Included in the post is a photo of Abalos, Quiboloy, and his legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon.
SEE ALSO: 'Mananagot ka, Apollo Quiboloy!'— Sen. Risa Hontiveros
The Philippine National Police has been actively seeking Quiboloy, who is currently subject to three arrest warrants. One was issued by the Senate in March, while the other two were issued by courts in Pasig City and elsewhere in April, related to allegations of sexual abuse, child abuse, violence, and human trafficking.
This even led to over 2,000 PNP personnel conducting a search at the KOJC compound to locate Quiboloy, who was allegedly hiding underground. KOJC members, supporters, and several lawmakers protested the legality of the PNP's manhunt operation.
As a result, the Davao City RTC Branch 15 issued a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) on August 27 against the police serving the arrest warrant for Quiboloy, yet the police forces remained at the site.
On September 6, the 22nd Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) in Cagayan de Oro City nullified the TPO, according to PNP Spokesperson PCOL Jean Fajardo.
In an interview with Fajardo, she stated that the CA dismissed the TPO, which was initially issued on August 27, aimed at preventing the PNP from implementing actions that could endanger the lives, freedom, security, and property of KOJC members in Davao City.
"The Court finds that the public respondent RTC Branch 15 - Davao City has acted without authority in taking cognizance of the [writ of] amparo case. It follows that the issuance of a temporary protection order has no basis,” it says.
On the other hand, some claim that Quiboloy "surrendered" and was not actually arrested, contrary to the wording used by Abalos in his earlier posts.
Update: Quiboloy and four other personalities surrendered to authorities in Davao City after the 24-hour ultimatum given by the PNP.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
