The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a sweeping freeze order against the financial assets and properties of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy and several individuals and entities associated with him.
In a 48-page resolution, the appellate court ordered the freezing of 10 bank accounts, seven real properties, five motor vehicles, and one aircraft belonging to Quiboloy.
The freeze order also targets the bank accounts of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the Swara Sug Media Corporation, the parent company of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which serves as the media arm of KOJC.
The court's decision is rooted in suspicions that these accounts are connected to a range of unlawful activities, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
The freeze order is immediate and will remain in effect for 20 days, pending further investigation.
Atty. Israelito Torreon, the lawyer of Quiboloy and KOJC, declined to comment, saying they have yet to receive an official copy of the order.
"The KOJC does not want to speculate as to what is the Order all about because it never had any hint nor inkling about it beforehand. Hence, it is withholding any comment/s about the matter until and after it receives an official copy of the Order and the petition, including its attachments," he stressed.
Meanwhile, SMNI’s legal counsel, Atty. Mark Tolentino, expressed respect for the court's decision but announced plans to file a motion against it.
"We will file a motion to lift the order with the Court, or seek a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court," Tolentino told reporters.
Quiboloy is currently facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, as well as under Section 10(a) of the same law in a Quezon City court.
The fugitive is charged with non-bailable Qualified Human Trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, in a Pasig court.
Both courts have issued arrest warrants against him.
A P10 million reward has been offered for information leading to Quiboloy’s arrest and P1 million each to anyone who can locate his five co-accused.
According to Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, head of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11), indicators and informants are suggesting that Quiboloy remains within the KOJC compound.
NEWS UPDATE: Puganteng si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, 4 iba pang kapwa-wanted nasa loob pa ng KOJC compound, ayon kay PRO-11 Director PBGen. Nicolas Torre @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/n6jlzSMETj
— Edniel Parrosa (@ednielparrosa) August 8, 2024
