Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib played a key role in the peaceful surrender of controversial televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, according to Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israel Torreon. Torreon, a former client of Jubahib, reached out to the governor on August 30 to facilitate negotiations with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
“I think they saw that they could trust me in handling negotiations,” said Jubahib, who was involved in seven rounds of talks to ensure the safety of Quiboloy during the surrender.
The board of directors of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), the religious group founded by Quiboloy, wanted to ensure his safe handover to authorities. Jubahib explained that Quiboloy’s supporters agreed to bring him to a designated area, where the ISAFP and Philippine Army were waiting. Once in their custody, the Philippine National Police (PNP) commanders in the Davao Region were notified.
While Quiboloy’s camp claimed he had been hiding in the mountains of Davao City, his lawyer denied receiving a 24-hour ultimatum from the PNP. Despite this, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated he did not believe Quiboloy voluntarily surrendered, crediting the persistence of the police in capturing the KOJC leader.
Quiboloy was flown to Pasay City and is currently being held at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.