Manhunt on for Quiboloy

Davao court orders arrest

- DIANA LHYD SUELTO and EMMANUEL TUPAS

Apollo Quiboloy is now a "fugitive from justice" after evading arrest warrants served by a joint team of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"He may not have been arrested, but he will be considered as a fugitive from justice based on the warrant of arrest issued by the court," NBI Davao region chief Arcelito Albao told "Storycon" on One News yesterday.

While the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) ministry was nowhere to be found, Albao said the joint team did not have a hard time entering Quiboloy's compound at the "prayer mountain" in Davao.

Quiboloy is still in the country as his cars, helicopters and planes are still in the area, Albao told Storycon. He said Quiboloy's personnel told the joint team that they had not seen the pastor for several days.

Teams have been deployed to hunt down Quiboloy and five of his associates who were ordered arrested by a Davao court on charges of child and sexual abuse, Albao said.

Ordered arrested together with Quiboloy were Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes as well as Ingrid, Cresente and Paulene, all surnamed Canada.

Cresente and Paulene Canada along with Cemanes were preparing to post P80,000 bail following their arrest at the Jose Maria College campus and the Samal and Tamayong properties of the KOJC.

Albao told The STAR that Roy and Ingrid were reportedly hiding with Quiboloy as they are his personal assistants.

Brig, Gen. Alden Delvo, Davao region police director, said Cresente surrendered to the NBI while Pauline and Cemanes sent surrender feelers.

Judge Dante Baguio of the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 ordered Quiboloy and five others arrested on charges of violation of Republic Act (RA) 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Law.