Chooks-to-Go Issues Public Apology to Quiboloy and KOJC
CHOOKS-TO-GO – The roasted chicken brand issued a public apology to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) following backlash over an advertisement that featured an edited image of the controversial religious leader.
The advertisement, which used a photo of Quiboloy taken during a press conference, was posted on the company’s social media page without management’s approval. According to Chooks-to-Go, the ad was created by their consulting social marketing team during a leadership transition following the retirement of the company president. Despite not approving the ad, Chooks-to-Go accepted responsibility for the mistake.
In their apology, the company acknowledged the concerns raised by KOJC and clarified that the ad did not represent the views or values of Chooks-to-Go or its leadership. They emphasized that there was no intent to offend or cause harm to Pastor Quiboloy or the KOJC community. The advertisement has since been removed from the company’s social media platforms.
The company’s apology generated mixed reactions from netizens, with some expressing disappointment while others accepted the explanation.
The controversy gained further attention when Atty. Mark Tolentino, the legal counsel for KOJC, accused Chooks-to-Go of unethical and irresponsible advertising. He argued that using Quiboloy’s image without consent could be considered a form of cybercrime. Tolentino called for a boycott of the brand and demanded a public apology, threatening legal action if the company failed to comply.
This incident is not the first time Chooks-to-Go has been criticized for using unauthorized images in advertisements. In a previous case, the company faced backlash for using a photo of former Mayor Alice Guo for a similar promotion.
To recall, on September 8, 2024, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was arrested in Davao City along with several members of his group during coordinated police raids at his compound. This action followed a 24-hour ultimatum issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP). After the ultimatum, Quiboloy surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and was subsequently transferred to Camp Crame.
Related Post: Chooks-to-Go Faces Boycott Call from KOJC Lawyer Over Ad Featuring Quiboloy