Has Apollo Quiboloy flown the coop and is already hiding in parts unknown, perhaps in China, if we’re to believe unverified reports?
In any event, what is clear is the government is determined to bring him to justice for high crimes.
A P10 million reward awaits anyone who will step forward and provide credible information that would lead to the arrest of Quiboloy, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government.
There’s also a P1 million reward each for the arrest of Quiboloy’s five subordinates Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Camanes and Jackiely Roy.
They are facing charges for violations of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
On April 11, 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.
In June, about 100 policemen stormed the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Compound in Barangay Buhangin in Davao City to arrest Quiboloy and his companions, but they were not there.
Quiboloy’s followers initially met the arresting authorities with a protest at the gate, demanding justice for the pastor. But the police told them they were there based on a lawful order of the court.
Besides the charges in Philippine courts, Quiboloy is also on the most wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; sex trafficking of children; and bulk cash smuggling.
The fugitive televangelist, who is former President Rodrigo Duterte’s spiritual adviser, said in April he would not surrender unless the government made a written guarantee American authorities would not meddle in the cases of child sexual abuse and trafficking filed against him.
He has said he was in hiding not because he was guilty of the charges but because he was “preserving” himself from the US authorities who might kidnap or assassinate him through “extraordinary rendition.”
“Unless you give me the guarantee I’m looking for, you won’t see me. Go ahead, manhunt me, I will stand up and not submit to your injustice. I will not submit to tyrannical rule,” the fugitive said.
Quiboloy said there was already a $2-million bounty on his head, a claim that has been denied by the FBI.
The question now is: Can Quiboloy and his fellow indictees for serious crimes continue to thumb their noses at authorities and hide from the law?
Maybe not for long, with the government announcing an offer of a P10 million bounty for his head.
