Quiboloy, 5 co-accused remain at large: NBI
A regional office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Tuesday that fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy and his 5 co-accused in a human trafficking case remain at large after the issuance of warrants of arrest by a Pasig Regional Trial Court.
Quiboloy and his co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemañes have been ordered arrested.
NBI-Southeastern Mindanao region director Archie Albao said they went again to the properties of Quiboloy in various parts of Davao City and Davao del Norte, but could not find the six wanted people.
"Kailangan pa rin silang hulihin, but nung paglabas ng Pasig na warrant, pinuntahan namin yung lugar ni kapitan, wala na siya. Then pinuntahan namin, ni-raid namin uli yung four properties na usually doon sila naglalagi, wala, negative yung mga subjects," he said.
Prior to the issuance of warrants by the Pasig RTC, a Davao regional court two weeks ago also ordered the arrest of Quiboloy over a sexual abuse case.
Four of the female respondents in the case immediately surrendered to the authorities after the child abuse case warrant was released, which was bailable. But this time, the charges filed against the respondents are non-bailable.
"Non-bailable, pero nag-iba yung ano nila... pero sabi ng mga lawyers, they're just, parang nag-uusap usap pa yung churches, yung buong congregation," he said.
Albao added that negotiations between authorities and Quiboloy's camp are still ongoing.
They have also returned the warrant of arrest after the 10-day effectivity has expired. They are awaiting for the court to issue an alias warrant of arrest.
"While ongoing yung negotiation for his surrender, ongoing din yung gathering ng intelligence at surveillance sa lahat ng properties," he said.
"Kung medyo may sightings on Pastor Quiboloy, then we will immediately verify and conduct operations, but as of the moment, wala pa," he added.
Albao also said looking for Quiboloy is a challenge as the controversial televangelist's Glory and Prayer mountains property in Bgy. Tamayong is more than 100 hectares.
Last week, after the Office of the Senate's Sergeant-at-Arms served the contempt warrant in Quiboloy's properties, Albao said the OSSA left Davao and will return when there will be sightings of Quiboloy.
The PNP also addressed reports that Quiboloy has a "private army."
"Hindi natin alam yung information with due respect kay Sen. Hontiveros, with respect doon sa sinasabi niya na private army ni Pastor Quiboloy. We don’t have nay information on that," said PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo.
The official said they are studying the possibility of cancelling the licenses of Quiboloy's firearms due to his pending cases.
"Kausap ko yung chief ng FEO at pinagaaralan din nila ito. Of course they will be coordinating with the NBI and DOJ who filed the cases because there is one provision there under section 5 if a competent court will issue order for the revocation and cancellation of LTOPF and registration then it can be a ground for revocation. So yun yung tinitingnan ng legal officer ngayon ng FEO," Fajardo said.
Fajardo added that the manhunt against Quiboloy continues.