MANILA, Philippines – Doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who faces multiple charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, will be detained in the Quezon City Jail male dormitory, according to a commitment order from the local court.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 106 issued a commitment order for Quiboloy for the city jail, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed on Tuesday, September 10.
BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said that Quiboloy has yet to be in their custody as of writing.
“As of 11:45 am of 10 September 2024, Mr. Apollo Quiboloy is not yet in the custody of the BJMP Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory,” Bustinera told Rappler in a text message. Bustinera added that the new facility is in Barangay Payatas.
But the charges in Quezon City are bailable, P260,000 in total to be exact, while the charges in Pasig are non-bailable.
Rappler is verifying with the Pasig RTC if there is a commitment from the court. Two counts of human trafficking against Quiboloy are lodged before Pasig RTC Branch 159
Judges issue the commitment order that determines where the detainee will be held.
Quiboloy has been in police custody, at the custodial center in Camp Crame, since his arrest Sunday night, September 8.
Quiboloy’s lawyer had expressed the pastor’s wishes to be transferred to military custody or house arrest, citing security concerns and health issues. Quiboloy is 74 years old. The Department of National Defense (DND) quickly opposed his transfer to military custody.
This is just among the several conditions or requests of Quiboloy to Philippine authorities in the five months that he evaded his warrants of arrest from both courts. Police, and even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., admitted to listening to his demands, and even agreeing to one — that the military be present in the arrest.
Quiboloy, a close friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is a wealthy televangelist who owns a sprawling compound in Davao City, several choppers and his own hangar, and other mansions in North America. Like Duterte, Quiboloy also has many guns.
The United States indicted Quiboloy for sexual trafficking, allegedly threatening girls and women “eternal damnation” if they reject his sexual advances. The US indictment also says he fraudulently obtained visas for the members of his church, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), so they can fly to the US and solicit donations and fees. The charges in the Philippines are of the same nature.
Marcos had assured the public that even if the US requests for extradition, Quiboloy will be made to face his charges in the Philippines first. – Rappler.com