will face Quiboloy justice - US gov't

As Apollo Quiboloy announced he was going into hiding, the United States embassy in Manila expressed confidence yesterday that the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) will face justice for heinous crimes.

- PIA LEE-BRAGO 

Quiboloy, self-proclaimed "appointed son of God," accused the US government and Philippine government officials of plotting to "eliminate" him through "rendition" in connection with multiple criminal cases he is facing in the US.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California in Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; sex trafficking of children; conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling.

On Nov. 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.

"For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)'s Most Wanted List," US embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said in a statement yesterday.

Citing unnamed sources, Quiboloy accused the US of offering a $2-million reward for his arrest.

The FBI said it is not aware of any bounty for Quiboloy's arrest, but confirmed an active warrant for the religious leader.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have issued subpoenas for Quiboloy to appear in their investigations on the allegations against him.

Following the development, Sen. Risa Hontiveros warned Quiboloy that he could face an arrest order from the Senate if he snubs the next hearing into the alleged abuses within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ ministry.

At a press briefing yesterday, Hontiveros said now that Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri signed the release of the subpoena against Quiboloy, the controversial pastor is expected to attend the resumption of her hearing on March 5 into allegations he sexually abused former ministry members.