The Department of Justice on Monday said Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy cannot impose any conditions for his surrender, saying there is no legal impediment for his arrest to face trial for violation of Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Anti-Child Abuse Law.”
“Quiboloy cannot impose any conditions. He must surrender not according to his terms but according to the terms of the law. The law applies to all, without exception,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stressed.
Remulla made the statement after the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a warrant of arrest against the Quiboloy on April 3, 2024 for sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.
The DOJ chief said the case against Quiboloy is “never a weak one and there is a direct evidence to prove all the elements of the offenses charged.”
Nonetheless, Remulla assured Quiboloy’s safety even as he reminded the embattled doomsday preacher “that no one is above the law, even if one occupies an important position in his religious organization.”
“The charges against Quiboloy are not ‘simple.’ They involve serious and morally abhorrent offenses such as sexual assault of a minor and human trafficking,” the Secretary said.
It can recalled that Quiboloy has repeatedly stated that charges should be filed in court, however, he refuses to subject himself to the Court’s jurisdictiont but chooses to remain a fugitive from justice.
Remulla urged the beleaguered religious leader to face trial if he believes is innocent.
“Argue your charges before the Court where you remain the accused, tell the naked truth, that way you can redeem yourself,” Remulla dared Quiboloy.
The DOJ is still awaiting the issuance by the Pasig RTC of another warrant of arrest for qualified trafficking.