Abalos: Quiboloy will be publicly presented in a press conference
MANILA, Philippines — Following his arrest, fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy will be presented before the public in a press conference, according to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos, who is out of the country, revealed this in press conference saying that Quiboloy was arrested earlier Sunday.
“Bakit kailangan ko umuwi (Why do I need to go home)? Because Pastor Quiboloy has been arrested ngayong pong raw na ito (today),” the DILG chief said.
READ: Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested – DILG chief Abalos
“I have to walk up there and present Pastor Quiboloy to the public in a press conference,” he added.
黑料社 tried getting more details from Abalos, but he has yet to reply as of posting time.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Topacio to Abalos: Don’t be epal, Quiboloy surrendered not arrested
Article continues after this advertisementEarlier Sunday, Police Regional Office 11 chief Brig. General Nicolas Torre III said a plane arrived in Davao City, but he clarified that he was unsure whether it was used to fetch the fugitive.
He added that they were ordered to release nine vehicles from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound after the plane arrived.
Contrary to Abalos’ earlier announcement, Quiboloy’s legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said the religious leader voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, on the other hand, said they “defer to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide details on the situation.”
“The AFP has been in full support of the PNP from the onset of the operation related to the case of Mr. Apollo Quiboloy. Our role in this matter has been purely in support of the PNP’s efforts in serving the warrant,” Padilla’s statement read.
“As this is primarily a police operation, we defer to the PNP to provide the details and updates on the situation. The AFP remains committed to assisting our law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order whenever necessary,” she added.
Last April 3, a Davao Regional Trial Court issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his five subordinates. They are facing charges of violating Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.
A Pasig City court also issued a warrant for the arrest of the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” for qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, on April 11.
