14 Quiboloy guns sold before permit revocation, PNP says
Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 briefs the media on the latest situation on the ongoing transport protest caravan in Metro Manila, update on the missing case folders of police with pending administrative cases, and lapses seen in police personnel who responded to a holdup situation in Manila. MARIZ UMALI
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has sold 14 of his 19 firearms before the revocation of his permit, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“As of now, lima po ang nai-turn over na (As of now, five guns have been turned over to authorities),” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing on Thursday.
“Yung 14, it appears, based on record at sa dokumentong isinumite po ni Mr. Acobo, na ‘yung 14 were already transferred even prior to the revocation,” she added, referring to Marlon Acobo, authorized representative of Quiboloy.
(The 14 guns, it appears, based on record and the document submitted by Mr. Acobo, were already transferred even prior to the revocation.)
On April 26, the PNP revoked the gun permit of Quiboloy, who is facing warrants of arrest in the Philippines and the United States over child abuse, sex trafficking, fraud, and cash smuggling, among others.
Acobo, who is also a KOJC executive pastor, turned over to authorities in Davao City five firearms registered to Quiboloy on May 2.
Before the revocation of the permit, Fajardo said Quiboloy in December 2023 sold six guns to one Cresente Canada, who is also possibly one of the subjects in the warrant of arrest against the church leader.
Five guns were transferred to a male individual and three to a female individual, both of them bearing the same surname Canada.
If authorities validate that the new gun owners are among the subjects of the arrest warrant against Quiboloy, their gun permits will also be revoked, according to Fajardo.
The Senate has issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for “unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices” at hearings on his alleged involvement in the sexual abuse of his members and human trafficking issues.
A Davao court also issued a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and five others over charges of child abuse.
Four of the co-accused turned themselves in, while another was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation agents. All five have posted bail, while Quiboloy remains at large.
An arrest warrant was also issued by a Pasig court for Quiboloy for human trafficking charges.
Aside from pending cases in the Philippines, Quiboloy is also on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list over alleged conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy has denied the accusations against him.
President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said the proceedings against Quiboloy would be fair, adding that the controversial religious leader should not worry about the United States meddling in his cases. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
This article 14 Quiboloy guns sold before permit revocation, PNP says was originally published in GMA News Online.