Apollo Quiboloy surrenders as PNP closes in on his location

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Apollo Quiboloy surrendered to authorities late Sunday afternoon as the Philippine National Police (PNP) zeroed in on his hiding place at the ACQ Building, also known as the Bible School Building.

The building was located at the back of the Jose Maria College Building.

Quiboloy’s surrender came on the 16th day of the police operation.

Sources report that Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, was contacted when the police began surrounding the ACQ Building at around 2:30 PM on Sunday, September 8.

At around 3:00 in the afternoon  Brigadier General Romeo Macapas, Commander of the PNP Intelligence Division with two persons in civilian clothes entered the KOJC compound.

At around 3:30 PM, sources inside KOJC revealed that Police Regional Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III in a handheld radio instructed the PNP ground commanders inside the KOJC compound to clear the hangar of Quiboloy.

By 5:14 PM, reporters stationed at the Emerald Gate of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) observed the movement of PNP SAWAT inside the KOJC compound.

At approximately 5:45 PM, a convoy of nine vehicles was seen departing from the back of the Bible school building proceeding to the hangar. By 6:18 PM, Interior and Local Government Secretary BenHur Abalos posted a photo on social media featuring Quiboloy alongside Police General Macapas and Torreon.

Philippine National Police Spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo confirmed that Quiboloy, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Cemañes, Cresante Canada, and Jacklyn Roy were taken inside KOJC compound.

Fajardo said “Some of them based on medical examination ay tumaas and BP (Blood Pressure)

Quiboloy and his four other companions are now at the PNP Custodial Facility.

In a statement, Torreon explained Quiboloy’s decision to surrender: “Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy chose to surrender to the PNP/AFP because he could no longer endure the suffering of his followers and the violence at the KOJC Compound. Although he initially sought legal remedies through his lawyers, the situation worsened with the compound being treated like a police garrison, the desecration of the KOJC Cathedral, and the JMC School being turned into a mining site. His followers faced brutality, including one death, many injuries, arbitrary arrests, and confiscated vehicles. These tragic events led Pastor Quiboloy to surrender, despite his right to await the outcome of legal proceedings.”

It was reported that Quiboloy’s security escorts, who are retired scout rangers, advised that the Armed Forces of the Philippines might be a safer option, as the PNP had firmly committed to his arrest and the 1:00 PM deadline had already passed.

After Quiboloy’s surrender, all the police personnel stationed at the KOJC compound proceeded to Camp Catitipan and were met by Torre.

In his public address, Torre III thanked all officers for their sacrifices and relentless efforts in locating Quiboloy.

While entering the camp, police personnel were shouting “Uwian na (We’re going home).”-Editha Z. Caduaya