CA freezes bank accounts, properties of Apollo Quiboloy, SMNI
The Court of Appeals (CA) issued a freeze order against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy's bank accounts and properties.
According to a GMA News report, the CA's order covers Quiboloy's 10 bank accounts, seven real properties, five motor vehicles, and one aircraft. It also includes the bank accounts of KOJC and Swara Sug Media Corporation, the operator of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), Quiboloy's media company.
In its 48-page resolution, the CA said it found reasonable ground to believe that the bank accounts of Quiboloy are “linked to unlawful activities and predicate crimes," including qualified human trafficking, sexual and child abuse, sex trafficking of children, fraud, conspiracy, marriage fraud, smuggling, and money laundering, among others.
The freeze order is effective immediately and will last for 20 days.
Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos on July 8 announced the bounty against Quiboloy, who is facing charges of sexual abuse of children, exploitation, and human trafficking, among others.
He also announced a P1 million reward each for the arrest of Quiboloy's co-accused, namely Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Cemañes, and Jackilyn Roy.
Last 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.
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.
During the hearings, KOJC members came forward with stories of abuse, including minors being forced to give sexual services to Quiboloy. They were also allegedly coerced to beg for money from strangers.
Other members also testified how SMNI allegedly didn’t pay workers as they’re supposedly serving God.
Quiboloy has since maintained that the cases filed against him are trumped up. He also claimed that there were threats to his life and that he was in hiding.
He is still reportedly in the Philippines, while his longtime friend, former president Rodrigo Duterte, claimed to know where he is.