Quiboloy’s controversial plane returns to Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – The controversial plane of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy has returned to Davao City Monday, March 19, over a month after it was intercepted and held by authorities in Hawaii.

“Finally after the investigations in Hawaii, the Customs officials released the plane….As you can see, my jet is now here in my hangar. It just arrived today, March 19. We are clear and we are free to fly again,” Quiboloy announced in a Facebook post.

Quiboloy’s assistant clarified to Rappler that it was only the plane that arrived in Davao City on Monday, contrary to an earlier report that the pastor arrived with the plane.

On February 13, Quiboloy and his 5 companions, who were on the private plane,  were temporarily held at the Honolulu airport after Hawaii authorities found $350,000  in undeclared cah and rifle parts inside the Cessna Citation Sovereign. The plane was headed to the Philippines, after Quiboloy’s engagements in Hawaii, according to a Hawaii News Now report.

The same report said the cash was found in a suitcase – $100-bills folded and slipped inside socks.

Aboard the same aircraft was Felina Salinas, a supporter of Quiboloy who claimed ownership of the cash-filled suitcase and was arrested for failing to declare the exact amount.

Quiboloy was said to have been detained for almost a day, but was released and soon took a separate commercial flight to Manila.

Following the incident, Quiboloy’s spokesperson Israelito Torreon, said the pastor did not violate any US law,  and found it surprising why he had to be detained in Honolulu when “he has just undergone a routine in America.”

Torreon also slammed reports that Quiboloy was detained, for detention would mean he commited a crime.

The pastor, whose church is based near Davao City’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport, was in Hawaii for a “worship and thanksgiving presentation.”

Following the incident, Quiboloy told his followers in a prayer rally to “spread the spirit of love” instead of paying attention to the reports

On Monday, the televangelist showed to a Sonshine Media Network crew the aircraft parking in his private hangar located at the KJC’s compound adjacent to the airport.

“I am again poised to travel around the world with this airplane this 2018,” he said in the interview on Monday.

Authorities in Hawaii held the private jet, valued at $15 million, and were reportedly working on its seizure, but decided to release it later on.

Quiboloy – who presents himself as the “Appointed Son of God” – is a long-time friend of President Rodrigo Duterte. Aside from a private jet, he also owns a Bell 429 helicopter, and had offered their use to Duterte for his presidential trips. – Rappler.com