(Photo from the Facebook Page of DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos)
In an interview with reporters at Malacañang, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. stated that it was Quiboloy who requested military presence as he reportedly lacked trust in the police.
(Photo from the Presidential Communications Office / Radio TV Malacañang)
Quiboloy sent surrender feelers around 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning on Sunday, according to the President. Marcos agreed to Quiboloy's request to send military personnel, leading him to surrender to negotiators from the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP) that afternoon. A C-130 plane was dispatched to Davao City to fetch Quiboloy and bring him to Manila.
However, Marcos clarified that Quiboloy's surrender and arrest were still spearheaded by the police.
"It was a police operation. Whatever the involvement of the AFP in that, as I said, was just augmentation," Marcos stated.
Also surrendering and arrested were Quiboloy's companions at KOJC, namely Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Crisente Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes.
Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo stated they gave Quiboloy a 24-hour ultimatum to surrender, or they would storm his hideout at the KOJC compound in Davao City.
Marcos stated that he sees the police's persistence in apprehending Quiboloy as the reason why he was compelled to surrender.
"The question that is being asked (since last night) until now is whether he surrendered or was caught? I think that is a legal question. But here's what I think, he wouldn't have surfaced if we didn't chase him hard," the President said.
Quiboloy is facing charges for violations of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
He also faces a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, in Pasig court.
Quiboloy has denied all the charges against him.
