MANILA – The Court of Appeals (CA) has granted the request of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze the bank accounts and assets of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI).
In a resolution released publicly on Thursday, the CA stated there is a “reasonable ground to believe” that the bank accounts linked to Quiboloy “are indeed linked to unlawful and predicate crimes.”
Among the crimes mentioned are qualified human trafficking, sexual and child abuse, conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, marriage fraud, fraud and misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, and money laundering.
“In order to avoid the possibility of the funds in the subject bank accounts and/or properties from being withdraw, removed, transferred, concealed or placed beyond the reach of law enforcers, this Court finds it appropriate and judicious to issue a 20-day Freeze Order,” the CA’s decision read.
Also ordered frozen are assets and bank accounts of the Children’s Joy Foundation, an organization based inside KOJC’s compound in Davao City, as well as those under the names of Maria Teresita Dandan, Helen Pagaduan Panilag, Paulene Chavez Canada, Cresente Chavez Canada, Ingrid Chavez Canada, Sylvia Calija Cemañes, Jackielyn Wong Roy, Alona Mertalla Santander, and Marlon Bongas Acobo.
From the bank accounts frozen, 10 are under Quiboloy’s name, 47 are under KOJC, and 17 under Swara Sug Media Corporation, the franchise holder of SMNI.
Paulene Chavez Canada, Quiboloy’s co-accused and was arrested in Davao City on July 9, had 27 bank accounts frozen, while Children’s Joy Foundation had 23 bank accounts.
To monitor compliance, the CA directed banks and government agencies to submit within 24 hours from their receipt of the freeze order details about the frozen bank accounts and assets.
“Furthermore, the above enumerated government agencies are DIRECTED to ANNOTATE this freeze order on the titles and certificates of registration of the foregoing real properties, motor vehicles and aircraft and to manifest their compliance within three working days from notice,” the CA said.
Warrants of arrest 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 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./PN
