DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos shows a poster of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy with P10 million reward, which he said, was offered by private individuals who became frustrated about how he disregarded the rule of law during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday July 8, 2024. (Mark Balmores)
Authorities are offering P10 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy who went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him for serious criminal offenses.
Aside from Quiboloy, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. said P1 million each is also being offered for information that could result in the apprehension of Quiboloy’s five other co-accused.
They were Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes. All of them are facing cases of Child Abuse and Exploitation and Qualified Human Trafficking.
“These are serious cases so the cases are non-bailable. Until now, authorities are looking for him,” said Abalos in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, July 8.
Abalos said the P15 million bounty was raised and offered by private individuals whom he said became frustrated by how Quiboloy and his co-accused allegedly disregard the rule of law and the system of government.
“We have friends who are frustrated about what’s happening right now and they just want to help, that’s why they offered the reward,” said Abalos.
He did not reveal the names of the supposed donors.
But Abalos still appealed to Quiboloy to face the cases leveled against him by surrendering in the soonest possible time.
“If you are really innocent, we have a court so just surrender and face the charges just like ordinary people do,” said Abalos.
“The law is simple. If you are guilty then you have to be accountable and that is what we are going to do. Now, there is a warrant and if you (Quiboloy) are innocent then surrender. Is that hard?,” he added.
The DILG Chief also expressed confidence that Quiboly and his five other co-accused are still in the country.
Obstruction of justice
For his part, national police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil warned that those who would be caught coddling Quiboloy and the rest of his co-accused could be held liable for obstruction of justice.
He said this is specifically stipulated under Presidential Decree 1829.
“This is the case that we could file, harboring or concealing or facilitating the escape of any person he knows or has reasonable grounds to believe or suspect has committed an offense under existing penal laws in order to prevent his arrest, prosecution and conviction,” said Marbil.