The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assisted the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its operations to apprehend embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Amid conflicting statements whether Quiboloy was arrested or he surrendered to authorities, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said that the military provided support to the PNP when it tried to enter one of the buildings inside the KOJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City on Sunday, Sept. 8.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been in full support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the onset of the operation related to the case of Mr. Apollo Quiboloy,” Padilla said.
The AFP, however, did not provide details as to the kind of support it relayed to the PNP.
“Our role in this matter has been purely in support of the PNP's efforts in serving the warrant. As this is primarily a police operation, we defer to the PNP to provide the details and updates on the situation,” Padilla noted.
Earlier, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benjamin. “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said in a Facebook post that Quiboloy had been arrested by the police.
But Quiboloy’s legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, said that the pastor actually surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), insisting that his client was not arrested, along with four of his co-accused namely Crisente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Cemañes and Jackielyn Roy.
All are facing a case for violation of Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2023, while Quiboloy is facing a separate case for violation of Republic Act 7610 or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
According to the PNP, members of the PNP Intelligence Service and ISAFP negotiated for the peaceful surrender of Quiboloy and four of his cohorts around 1:30 p.m. Sunday as joint operatives zeroed in on the location of the accused.
Quiboloy was given a 24-hour ultimatum to surrender and at around 5:30 p.m., he was taken by the authorities and placed under police custody.
A C-130 military transport plane flew Quiboloy and his companions from Davao City to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City around 6:30 p.m. They arrived two hours later.
At around 9:10 p.m., the accused were brought to the Custodial Center of the PNP in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Padilla said the AFP remains committed to assist their counterpart law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order “whenever necessary.”