Vice President Sara Duterte suggested that Apollo Quiboloy, the controversial leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), may no longer be in Davao City, as authorities continue their manhunt to serve an arrest warrant against him.
According to a report from GMA Regional TV’s Rgil Relator on “24 Oras” aired Monday, Vice President Duterte was present at the KOJC anniversary event on Sunday. She mentioned that Quiboloy has had ample time to leave the city.
“He has had enough time to get out of Davao City,” Duterte stated. “He has had plenty of time to decide whether to leave or not. This is something the administration should have considered. Due to the prolonged grandstanding at the committee hearing, they failed to capture Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.”
When asked where she thought Quiboloy might be, Duterte quipped, “If I could guess where Pastor Quiboloy is, I think he is now in heaven.”
Duterte emphasized the need to promptly serve the arrest warrant to protect the reputation of Davao City. She criticized the delay in executing the warrant despite a significant police presence. “The large size of the compound should not be an excuse,” she remarked. “With all the police officers involved, it’s surprising that after nine days, they still haven’t executed the warrant.”
The Police Regional Office 11 responded by stating that law enforcement is following proper operational procedures within the KOJC compound. “The implementation of the warrant of arrest is within the bounds of the law,” said PRO 11 spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey. “Why is it taking time? Just look at the complexity of the KOJC compound.”
Tensions flared again on Monday between police and KOJC members, who demanded the opening of the Emerald Gate of the church compound, fearing the police might plant contraband. The police denied these allegations, stating that any items brought in were only to assist in their search for Quiboloy.
KOJC’s legal counsel, Israelito Torreon, claimed that police arrested a church member and attempted to detain one of their lawyers after the gate was opened. He also alleged that police took some cartons to a location within the church compound to which KOJC members did not have access.
Arrest warrants were issued by Davao and Pasig courts against Quiboloy and others for alleged violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, as well as qualified human trafficking. Quiboloy has been in hiding since the Senate issued an arrest order after he refused to attend its hearings.
In addition, Quiboloy faces charges in the United States for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, including sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling, according to an indictment by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California.