Who will receive the P14M reward for Quiboloy, co-accuseds' arrest?
Who will receive the P14 million cash reward after Apollo Quiboloy, a fugitive leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), and his co-accused are finally arrested?
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said during the press briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 10 that the authorities are currently discussing who will be entitled to the cash reward, which was donated by certain “friends” in July who refused to be identified.
Among these are Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, PNP Chief PGen. Rommel Marbil, and Police Regional Office 11 Director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III.
However, she refused to go into specifics on the identity and number of informants due to safety concerns.
When asked if the informants were KOJC members, she said, “I cannot confirm that.”
Quiboloy, and co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Crisente Canada, and Syliva Cemañes were finally taken by the authorities on Sunday, Sept. 8 as Abalos announced he was arrested at the KOJC compound in Davao City.
His legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, however, said in a statement that the KOJC founder “voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces.”
“He was not arrested, especially not by the [PNP] under the DILG,” he added.
“As usual, Pastor Quiboloy’s legal team shall continue to protect his rights under the Constitution and the laws as we prepare for his defense,” Topacio continued.
In April, courts in Davao and Pasig issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his associates for sexual abuse of a minor, child abuse, and qualified trafficking.
Authorities tried to look for Quiboloy and others at the KOJC compound and his other known properties but failed.
A Senate committee headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros also issued an arrest order against Quiboloy after he refused to attend Senate hearings on his alleged crimes.
On Aug. 24, around 2,000 policemen went to the KOJC compound before daylight to try to arrest Quiboloy.
But KOJC supporters went to the streets in the afternoon, protesting what they called a "siege" until Aug. 26.
Quiboloy is also wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought his church members to the US through fraudulently obtained visas. He also allegedly forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity and donations that were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.
In 2021, he was indicted by a US grand jury for child sex trafficking and coercing young women and girls to have sex with him under "threats of eternal damnation."