Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida V. Rueda Acosta on Monday, Feb. 14, expressed support to Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
In an online prayer meeting with Quiboloy, Acosta said:
“Ang mga kagaya ninyo ay kailangan sinusuportahan ng ating mga kababayan sapagkat nakakatulong po ng higit para gumaan ang spiritwal na kalooban at marating ang spirituality ng sangkatauhan (People like you should be supported by our countrymen because you help in our spirituality).
“Ang wish namin po sa inyo ay patuloy na proteksyunan po kayo ng Diyos Ama sa langit at kung sino man ang naghahangad na guluhin ang kongregasyon, ang Kingdom of Jesus Christ, sana po huwag sila magwagi at matakot sila sa Diyos (We wish that God would continue to protect you and those who wish to bring chaos in the congregation should not prevail and they should fear God).”
For his part, Quiboloy said: “Ang lahat ng kasamaan na ipinupukol po sa ministring ito at sa akin ay haharapin po namin yan taas noo sapagkat kung walang katotohanan ang isang bagay ay hindi dapat tayo matakot (We will face heads up all the accusations against me and the ministry and we should not fear because they are lies).
“The Father will vindicate my name and the truth will come out. Yun po ang hindi pwedeng itago sapagkat ang katotohanan ay mananaig (The truth can’t be hidden because truth will always prevail).”
Quiboloy has been indicted before the United States District Court in Santa Ana, California for alleged 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.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released “wanted” posters of Quibuloy after an arrest order was issued against him on Nov. 10, 2021.
The Philippine government has not received any request from the US government on Quiboloy’s extradition. The pastor is reportedly in Davao City.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said that once an extradition is requested and the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) endorses it, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will act immediately on the request.
Even Quiboloy’s lawyers had said the pastor will abide with whatever ruling the Philippine courts would hand down should an extradition is requested.
Also during the prayer meeting, Quiboloy said:
“Hindi na po kami stranger sa nangyayaring yan na mga iniiskandalo dahil ang ministry ito at napakarami po kaming pinagdaanan (We are not strangers to what they claim as scandals since we have surived so many things).
“Imbes na ito ay bumagsak ay lalong lumalago sapagkat alam po namin na sa katapustapusan ang katotohanan ang siyang lilitaw (Instead of destroying the congregation, the ministry continues to expand because in the end the truth will prevail).”