Abalos announces: Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested

[Lee]

Few details as of yet.

 

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos (extreme left) uploads this photo on his Facebook account showing beside him lawyer Israelito Torreon and the fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who has been arrested Sunday night. Screengrab from Facebook post of Benhur Abalos

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1981164/abalos-announces-apollo-quiboloy-has-been-arrested#ixzz8lEVDmgG6
 

[JJReyes]

The US government must have exerted a lot of pressure to get Apollo Quiboloy arrested.  I believe he is on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list for human trafficking.  Apollo was under the protection of the previous administration and untouchable while the Marcos-Duterte camps remained on friendly terms. 

[Possum]

1 hour ago, JJReyes said:

The US government must have exerted a lot of pressure to get Apollo Quiboloy arrested.  I believe he is on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list for human trafficking.  Apollo was under the protection of the previous administration and untouchable while the Marcos-Duterte camps remained on friendly terms. 

May be just a Marcos Duterte feud over which dynasty controls the country [money]. Extraditing him to the US may cause skeletons to come out of the closet that neither side wants . At any rate it's just more political drama for the ruling class, not likely to affect us peons.

[Lee]

An update about his capture.

KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy caught (msn.com)

Quote

 

Abalos told GMA Integrated News' Athena Imperial that Quiboloy was caught at 6 p.m. inside the KOJC compound in Davao City, where the police had been searching for him since August 24.

Eastern Mindanao Commander Lieutenant General Luis Bergante also confirmed to GMA Regional TV that Quiboloy surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the AFP has been "in full support" of the PNP from the start of the operation.

"Our role in this matter has been purely in support of the PNP's efforts in serving the warrant. As this is primarily a police operation, we defer to the PNP to provide the details and updates on the situation," she said.

Another Quiboloy lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said that the pastor voluntarily surrendered to the ISAFP. "He was not arrested, especially not by the Philippine National Police under the DILG. Therefore, it is epal to the highest level for Sec. Abalos to be seemingly taking credit for the non-existent arrest," he said in a statement.

Quiboloy was flown to Metro Manila and taken to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City. In a press conference there, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that Quiboloy surrendered after the PNP issued an ultimatum that he must turn himself in within 24 hours.

Charges

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

He has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

Quiboloy went into hiding after the Senate issued an arrest order against him for failing to attend its hearings.

The Philippine National Police deployed around 2,000 personnel to serve the warrant against Quiboloy in the KOJC compound.

An arrest warrant was also served on the KOJC's property in Kitbog, Sarangani Province.

As the police combed the KOJC property over the course of several days, hundreds of KOJC members and supporters rallied outside the compound to protest the police's presence.

Some filed a complaint against the police, saying they sustained injuries during the police operation. On August 24, the day the police started their search, a male KOJC member died, with the police saying he passed away from a heart attack.

Quiboloy lawyer Torreon called on the police to "stop their harassment" and to leave the compound and said Quiboloy was not there.

KOJC members also protested the excavation allegedly conducted by authorities at the basement of the Jose Maria College (JMC) Building inside the compound. 

Quiboloy's allies, the Duterte family, came to his defense. Vice President Sara Duterte condemned what she called the "gross abuse of police power," while her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, said that the Philippines "has never been in a more tragic state" than the day the police went to the compound to serve the warrant.

Last Thursday, the Court of Appeals (CA) in Cagayan de Oro City declared a temporary protection order in favor of KOJC null and void.

'We did not doubt'

According to Police Davao Region chief Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, Quiboloy was found where the police had suspected, but he declined to elaborate as he said further details would be released in official statements.

“Hindi naman tayo nagduda dun eh [We did not doubt].There’s no doubt that he’s here. Napag-aralan natin, kaya medyo humaba ang ating paghahanap dahil napakalaki ng lugar,” he said in an interview.

(Our search took longer because the place was so big.)

[I thank Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for the realization that this is the right thing to do, to face the law],” he added.

In the same interview, Torre thanked members of the KOJC for their cooperation, as he said he hopes that this would be the start of healing.

(There may have been some squabbles, disagreements, and some small encounters, so I do hope that this will be the start of the healing and no longer fight. I am not your enemy.)

In a statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded the law enforcement agencies that conducted the search "for their tireless efforts and dedication, despite Quiboloy's tactics."

"Mananagot ka, Apollo Quiboloy. You cannot outrun the law. You will not further delay justice," she said. 

(Justice is within reach for the victim-survivors, thanks to their courage in coming forward with the truth.)

In a separate statement, ACT Teachers Representative and House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro urged the government to ensure Quiboloy is prosecuted.

"The arrest of Apollo Quiboloy must lead to his full accountability before the law. The charges against him, both in the United States and the Philippines, are grave and demand thorough investigation and prosecution. Justice must be served for the victims of these heinous acts," she said.

In another statement, Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas said those who aided Quiboloy must be brought to justice as well. "This includes a thorough investigation into any possible involvement of individuals in positions of power who may have shielded him from accountability," she said.

"Let this be a reminder to Quiboloy that he is not a God. Harapin niya ngayon ang taumbayan. [Let him now face the public]," she added.

Ako Bicol Representative and House appropriations committee chair Elizaldy Co, meanwhile, praised the PNP's use of ground-penetrating radar.

"This is the first time I am aware of that that kind of radar has been prominently used by our law enforcers," he said.

"The House leadership under Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez will make sure the PNP is given more of these tactical field equipment in their annual budgets.

"The PNP also needs more air assets, including unmanned drones equipped also with ground penetrating radar and infrared night vision." — Mariel Celine Serquiña and Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News

 

 

[BrettGC]

So what's the deal here in PI?  Is it like some other countries in that if convicted here, he'll serve his time here and then be available for extradition?  Unless some sort of deal is struck I can't see the PI government giving precedence to an overseas warrant. I'd personally like to see him prosecuted in the US where he has fewer friends, if any, in power. 

[scott h]

21 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

Unless some sort of deal is struck

You want US Navy patrols in the WPS, extradite him, you want EDcA bases, extradite him, you want disaster relief, extradite him, ad nauseum. You get the idea, the US could put lots of pressure if they had the will to do so. 

24 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

prosecuted in the US where he has fewer friends

Same here, if found guilty he would actually do time, not sit in a hospital for years, or have a nice apartment in New Bilibad prison.

[JJReyes]

26 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

So what's the deal here in PI?  Is it like some other countries in that if convicted here, he'll serve his time here and then be available for extradition?  Unless some sort of deal is struck I can't see the PI government giving precedence to an overseas warrant. I'd personally like to see him prosecuted in the US where he has fewer friends, if any, in power. 

The fear of extradition to the United States for Quiboloy is similar to the fear of the same by drug cartel leaders.  If incarcerated at home, they have access to money and political power.  Their jail cells at home could be mini mansions with women, liquor and gourmet food.  US federal prisons are horrific by comparison.

In my opinion, the Marcos regime would prefer to get rid of Quiboloy quickly.  Shifting political fortunes can create vulnerabilities.  The Marcos-Duterte breakup is from an original agreement of support for Sarah Duterte to become the next president.  One of the Romualdez relatives of Imelda is now aiming to become the next president.  

Edited September 8 by JJReyes

[craftbeerlover]

On 9/9/2024 at 6:58 AM, scott h said:

You want US Navy patrols in the WPS, extradite him, you want EDcA bases, extradite him, you want disaster relief, extradite him, ad nauseum. You get the idea, the US could put lots of pressure if they had the will to do so. 

I honestly do not believe this guy is that important to the US, where they would try to use any of what you said above.   1.  We already have the bases, 2.  We have given disaster relief for the last 70 years,  3. I doubt very very very much somebody like quiloboy would come up in any conversation related to US Navy Patrols; we are already conducting exercises and traveling thru the area stolen by the chinese, and even if we werent, this dudes name would not be part of any conversation.  So no!

[scott h]

3 minutes ago, craftbeerlover said:

I honestly do not believe this guy is that important to the US

I think your spot on

[craftbeerlover]

On 9/8/2024 at 10:34 PM, JJReyes said:

The US government must have exerted a lot of pressure to get Apollo Quiboloy arrested.

I dont believe that at all.   Given quiboloys' extremely close ties to duterte, I think President Marcos couldnt wait to slap the handcuffs on him.