Police hotlines are beginning to heat up with tips on the supposed whereabouts of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy following the announcement of a PHP10 million bounty on his head.
Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that phones at the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) started ringing as soon as news about the big reward broke out.
However, she emphasized that PRO 11 director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III told her that they are cautious about offers for information as these may be deliberate attempts to mislead investigators.
Aside from this, the spokesperson noted that the police are also wary of prank calls so they are thoroughly verifying the information given to them.
“But we will not accept it hook, line, and sinker because some might provide misleading information. Our main focus now is our own investigation into Quiboloy’s possible location,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
On the other hand, the fugitive televangelist seems to be teasing the Senate regarding his whereabouts.
Quiboloy’s camp posted on Wednesday an audio statement that was shared by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
In the post, the alleged sex offender teased the public by offering them a PHP1,000 reward if they can guess his present location.
Quiboloy also gave his audience a tip through a parable.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday said a reward worth P10 million is being offered for any information that will lead to the arrest of Quiboloy.
Aside from Quiboloy, who is the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, P1 million each is also offered for the other five co-accused.
The rewards came from private citizens, according to Abalos.
Quiboloy’s camp questioned the motives of private individuals who offered the bounty.
Arrest warrants were issued against Quiboloy and others for alleged violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and Republic Act No. 9208 or Qualified Human Trafficking.
Quiboloy went into hiding shortly after the Senate issued an arrest order against him for refusing to attend the chamber’s hearings.
The police raided several properties owned by KOJC in Davao City, Samal Island, and Sarangani to serve the arrest warrants to the controversial televangelist but to no avail.
Quiboloy has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for 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.
