Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo C. Quiboloy cannot impose conditions for his surrender, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday, April 8.
“Quiboloy cannot impose any conditions. He must surrender not according to his terms but according to the terms of the law. The law applies to all, without exception,” said DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla.
Remulla assured Quiboloy’s safety once he surrenders.
He stressed that “no one is above the law, even if one occupies an important position in his religious organization.”
Quiboloy had earlier said that he will surrender only if there is a written guarantee from President Marcos, Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Medardo de Lemos that the American government will not interfere with his cases in the Philippines.
The KOJC leader is also facing indictment in the United States for alleged conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
In the Philippines, Judge Dante A. Baguio of Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 has already issued an order for the arrest of Quiboloy who has been charged with violations of Sections 10(a) and 5(b) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, over alleged sexual abuses committed in 2011 against a female who was then 17 years old.
He was also charged with qualified human trafficking before the Pasig City RTC.
“The charges against Quiboloy are not ‘simple.’ They involve serious and morally abhorrent offenses such as sexual assault of a minor and human trafficking,” Remulla said.
He reminded that Quiboloy himself said that charges should be filed in court if there is a case against him.
He advised Quiboloy that if he really is innocent of the charges then he should present his defense in court.
“Argue your charges before the Court where you remain the accused, tell the naked truth, that way you can redeem yourself,” Remulla also told Quiboloy.
The justice secretary stressed that the case against Quiboloy was “never a weak one and there is a direct evidence to prove all the elements of the offenses charged.”