Quiboloy’s Lawyer Claims He Left KOJC Compound in March
ATTY. ISRAELITO TORREON – The lawyer of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy stated that the fugitive preacher has not been at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound since March.
This aligns with Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that Quiboloy managed to evade authorities. Torreon mentioned that he last spoke with Quiboloy in March, prior to the issuance of an arrest warrant, and believes he left the KOJC compound around that time. “I think since March 2024,” he said.
The police have been searching the KOJC compound for the past 10 days, seeking Quiboloy, who faces charges of abuse and human trafficking in two courts. Torreon argued that KOJC members have been resisting the police raid because they fear that evidence might be planted against Quiboloy. He accused the police of using the arrest warrant as a pretext to turn the KOJC compound into a police stronghold and claimed that the police have also prevented the use of the KOJC cathedral.
Meanwhile, Atty. Israelito Torreon affirmed that Quiboloy is prepared to surrender if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. provides a written guarantee that he will not be extradited to the U.S. Quiboloy faces grave accusations in the U.S., including sex trafficking and coercion, alongside charges under several Republic Acts in the Philippines. Torreon described Quiboloy’s request not as a demand but as a possible negotiation point, noting that typically, wanted individuals do not set conditions for authorities unless they are holding a hostage.
In response, DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez pointed out that no government official can give such a guarantee, as international treaties become law once ratified by the Senate. Despite this, Torreon contends that it falls within the President’s discretion to offer protection to citizens from exceptional cases of extradition, thus seeking a safeguard for Quiboloy.
Related Post: Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Refuses To Surrender due to Threat — KOJC