Palace hands off on Quiboloy rape complaint

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang has kept its distance from the rape complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte’s friend and backer, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

“First, I don’t know about it. Second, that should be a private matter involving the pastor. We will not intrude into that private domain,” Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing Monday.

Panelo likewise assured that Quiboloy’s ties with Duterte would affect the case.

“The rule of law in this country always prevail regardless of who are involved,” he said.

A former member of Quiboloy’s sect accused him of raping her in 2014, an allegation the pastor’s camp has denied.

Duterte has been known to have close ties with Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed appointed “Son of God.”

Quiboloy was reportedly among those who supported Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign.

GSG