MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its efforts to locate and arrest persons wanted in the case involving Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy and four others.
“Our search for the remaining wanted persons in the case of Quiboloy and his associates is ongoing,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said during a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.
Fajardo added that the recent arrest of Pauline Canada, a co-accused in the case, is a positive development that indicates the PNP is receiving the right information.
“Our hotline is very active and we are getting numerous tips, though we need to vet this information carefully. Some may be accurate, but others might be intended to mislead us,” Fajardo said. She urged the public to cooperate by providing any information, giving assurance that their identity and security would be protected.
“We are not limited to their (Quiboloy and co-accused) known addresses. We are also investigating other potential areas where they might be staying or visiting,” Fajardo said.
On Canada’s custody, Fajardo said the PNP is still waiting for a court order, noting that the warrant of arrest was already returned to the Pasig Regional Trial Court.
In the meantime, Canada remains in the custody of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Addressing concerns about Quiboloy’s loyal supporters potentially obstructing law enforcement efforts, Fajardo explained that the PNP “anticipated the potential interference.”
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos yesterday clarified that the P10-million bounty being offered for the arrest of Quiboloy is still in the hands of the sponsors of the reward money.
“I do not have the money, just to be clear on that. It is in the possession of people who are offering the bounty. It was not given to me,” Abalos said in a chance interview at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Ferdinand Topacio, Quiboloy’s lead lawyer, earlier said the P10-million reward being offered by Abalos violates Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for government officials and employees.
But Abalos countered, saying that in 2017 Topacio also raised a reward.
“For those (more donors) who want to help, I told them to personally announce to avoid controversy. But the best help will be the information (to locate Quiboloy),” Abalos said.
He defended the decision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow donations for the reward against Quiboloy, saying funding from the government can be used for other purposes.
“We can source it (reward) from our budget, but we can use the money for other uses and operations within the government,” Abalos said.
He noted that the DILG and PNP have received information on the possible location of Quiboloy.
“There were already sightings on his possible location,” he said, refusing to disclose where this is exactly. He added that the tips need to be filtered as some are meant to mislead.
“One thing is certain, there is a lot of information, many are working. The police and military are working together, so all of the things (on Quiboloy’s possible whereabouts), all of these are being checked even way before. The world is getting smaller for Quiboloy as sooner or later he will be located and he will have to face the court that issued the warrant of arrest,” Abalos noted.
Abalos also said it is possible that Quiboloy has already left the country.
“Anything is possible. It is not impossible when one is hiding. It can be far or near but we verify all of these. One thing I could assure those who are listening, despite the criticisms, we are just doing our jobs since there is a warrant of arrest. We need to serve the warrant. It’s as simple as that,” he stressed. — Bella Cariaso
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