NEW YORK CITY — Senator Risa Hontiveros said that if wanted Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is still in the country, then he is likely in Davao City, which she called his “territory” and that of his ally, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In a press conference with the Filipino American Press Club of New York, Hontiveros said that Duterte probably knows where the pastor is and that Quiboloy might be protected in Davao City, making it difficult for authorities to arrest him.
“Kung nasa Pilipinas pa si Quiboloy, naandun lang siya sa Davao. Eh alam naman natin na bukod sa teritoryo ‘yan ni Quiboloy eh teritoryo pa rin yan ng mga Duterte. At the very least alam niya [Duterte] siguro kung nasaan or at most meron mga nagpo-protekta kay Quiboloy,” she said.
(If Quiboloy is still in the Philippines, he would be in Davao. We all know that besides being Quiboloy’s territory, it is also Duterte’s territory. At the very least, he probably knows where he is, or at most, he has someone protecting Quiboloy.)
The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) early on Monday went to a KOJC property in Davao City to serve an arrest warrant against Quiboloy, but left without him.
Duterte, for his part, earlier distanced himself from the issue, saying he wants no part of it.
“That was really surprising, oo nga,” Hontiveros said of Duterte’s comments. “Isa sa mga huling sinabi niya ay parang huwag daw siya idamay dun sa mga akusayon laban kay Quiboloy, pero siya pa rin ang administrator ng lahat ng pagmamay-ari ni Quiboloy, so wala man gusto niyang putulin ang legal link pero ‘yung economic and business link eh very, very healthy.”
(It was really surprising. One of the last things he said was something like not to involve him in the accusations against Quiboloy, but he is still the administrator of all of Quiboloy’s properties. So, even if he wants to cut the legal link, the economic and business link is very, very healthy.”)
Hontiveros added that she has great confidence in the PNP.
“Ang mga nagsasabi na maraming mamamatay ay binabantaan ang lipunan natin and that is unacceptable, at ako ay paulit-ulit na nagpapahayag ng confidence ko sa PNP na bukod sa mandate may kakayahan silang serve ang anumang warrant na ibinigay.”
(Those who say that many will die are threatening our society, and that is unacceptable. I have repeatedly expressed my confidence in the PNP, that besides their mandate, they have the ability to serve any warrant that is issued.)
Quiboloy is facing non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges before a Pasig court and charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act before a Davao court. Warrants of arrest have been issued against him in relation to these cases. Quiboloy has denied the allegations. — BM, GMA Integrated News
