Davao court issues arrest warrant for Quiboloy over sexual abuse charges

A DAVAO CITY court has issued a warrant of arrest for Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy over sexual abuse charges.

The court also ordered the arrest of Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemane for violating Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Quiboloy’s camp reportedly filed a motion for reconsideration with the Department of Justice to overturn the indictment, but the court said it had not yet received any resolution.

“Having received none as of this date, the court declines this time to await. As what was earlier determined upon judicious examination and perusal of information where it found probable cause, let the warrants of arrest already issued be implemented immediately,” the court said.

Last month, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said the victim was 17 at the time the crimes were committed more than a decade ago, in 2011.

“We studied this case thoroughly and it was proven that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his colleagues have to answer for this,” Remulla said.

Quiboloy — who is at least 73 years old, according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation — was indicted in 2021 by US prosecutors who alleged, among other things, that girls and young women were coerced to have sex with him under threats of “eternal damnation”. 

In a voice clip posted to the YouTube channel of his television network Sonshine Media in February, Quiboloy announced he was in hiding because he was afraid he would be subjected to “kidnapping or assassination” by the US and Philippine governments. 

Quiboloy has denied any wrongdoing.