PNP: Good leads on manhunt for Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has good leads on the whereabouts of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy and five of his followers, who are wanted for qualified human trafficking and child sex abuse cases.

Police are verifying information they received on where the preacher is hiding, PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

“Hopefully we can locate him so we can serve the warrants of arrest issued by our courts,” Fajardo told a news briefing.

She did not give details so as not to jeopardize pursuit operations.

Courts in Pasig and Davao issued arrest warrants for Quiboloy, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes as well as Cresente, Ingrid and Paulene, all surnamed Canada.

Last month, Judge Dante Baguio of the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 ordered their arrest on charges of violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Law.

Another arrest warrant was issued against the six on charges of child and sexual abuse as provided under the same law.

Pasig RTC Branch 159 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and his followers for the non-bailable offense of qualified human trafficking.

Meanwhile, Fajardo said PNP records showed that the 14 firearms previously registered under Quiboloy’s name were sold on Dec. 30, 2023.

She said six of the firearms were sold to a certain Cresente Canada and the eight to two other people with the same surname.

Fajardo said the Firearms and Explosives Office is verifying if Cresente is the same person who is Quiboloy’s co-accused.

She clarified that Quiboloy’s camp surrendered five of his guns on May 2 and not on Tuesday as reported by the PNP.

On Wednesday, Quiboloy’s legal counsel Israelito Torreon said only five of the 19 firearms registered under the name of the pastor  were surrendered because the 14 other guns were “validly disposed of or duly transferred in other person’s names.”

The PNP has revoked Quiboloy’s licenses to own and carry firearms and firearms registration because he is facing criminal cases, which are punishable with imprisonment of more than two years.