The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have reaffirmed the use of the term “arrested” concerning the apprehension of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. stated that the term “arrested” was more appropriate as Quiboloy was taken into custody by authorities.
The KOJC camp initially claimed that Quiboloy was not arrested, but rather, he voluntarily surrendered to the authorities. However, Abalos emphasized that it was not a simple surrender.
According to him, Quiboloy’s camp may have sensed the mounting pressure from authorities, leading to his eventual appearance.
Abalos further explained that members of the PNP had surrounded the compound where Quiboloy had been hiding for several days, which ultimately forced his camp to come out.
The secretary added that if the pastor had been in another location and willingly surrendered without being pressured, it might have been considered a voluntary surrender.
Police Regional Office 11 Director BGen. Nicolas Torre III supported this, saying that the surrender was merely a formality on the part of the KOJC.
He suggested that the pastor’s camp preferred to use the term “surrendered” as it seemed less harsh, but in reality, the authorities had him under close watch.
Torre affirmed that had Quiboloy not come out, the police would have tracked him down after the ultimatum expired.