Obstruction of justice raps eyed vs. KOJC execs, lawyers

FILE: Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (in black Agila cap) presented to the media in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday (Sept. 9, 2024). (PNA Photo by Joan Bondoc)

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Officials and lawyers of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) may face charges for obstruction of justice for allegedly assisting their leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, evade arrest, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

“Definitely from their side, there are identified KOJC officers and legal representatives who have been very vocal from the start that Pastor Quibioloy was not inside the KOJC compound,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said at a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Quiboloy went into hiding after he was ordered arrested by a Pasig City court for the non-bailable offense of qualified human trafficking.

He also faces a child sexual abuse case before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

He and his four co-accused aides were forced to surrender on Sept. 8 after 16 days of police takeover in the 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao City.

Fajardo said the PNP is also planning an operation to rescue others abused by Quiboloy, as revealed by five victims.

“Pinag-uusapan ngayon ‘yan, ‘yung posible rescue operation na pwede natin gawin dahil according sa mga biktima na nakaalis na ay marami pa siłang mga kaibigan at mga nakasama nila doon din sa org(anization) nila na nandoon pa sa loob at natatakot (It is now being discussed, the possible rescue operation that we could do, because according to the victims, they have friends and acquaintances who are inside and are still afraid),” Fajardo said.

The PNP had obtained personal information of the purported victims, who fear the Angels of Death, as what Quiboloy’s alleged private army is called

Fajardo encouraged the victims to seek help from those who are outside the KOJC.

She said the PNP is set to file more child abuse cases against Quiboloy, based on the statement of the five victims who were minors at the time of the crime.

Fajardo said investigators were able to establish the pattern of abuse of Quiboloy among the minor victims.

She said PNP is working with concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Firearms and Explosives Office was also requested to revoke the licenses of members of the Angels of Death, allegedly including Army reservists.

Quiboloy is detained at the PNP Custodial Facility in Camp Crame while his co-accused were transferred to the Pasig City jail.