The Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 11 confirmed on Wednesday that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy surrendered only because he had no other option.
"In our whole operations, he was arrested because he submitted himself to my representative because he had no other options other than submitting himself to the custody of the law," former PRO 11 Chief, now CIDG Chief, PBGen. Nicolas Torre III told the Senate panel.
"Whether he likes it or not, because 4,500 people around him inside his compound and 1,200 is concentrated in the two buildings that he has control of," he added.
Torre emphasized that Quiboloy’s camp used the term "surrender" in a more colloquial sense, explaining that the supporting units simply facilitated his arrest and transfer from the location where he was apprehended to his detention.
Torre, along with Davao City PNP Chief PCol. Hansel Marantan, presented the results of their investigation during the Senate hearing, marking Quiboloy’s first appearance before the panel.
It can be recalled that Quiboloy was given a 24-hour ultimatum by PRO-11 while inside his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
Quiboloy’s arrest occurred on September 9 this year, as initially reported by former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., following several days of operations.
Quiboloy currently faces a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, in a Pasig court. He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
Despite these legal challenges, Quiboloy plans to run as an independent senatorial candidate in the 2025 elections.
