Marcos sneers at fugitive Quiboloy’s demands

Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Monday spurned the demands made by televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in exchange for his surrender, saying fugitives enjoyed no such right to lay down conditions.

Speaking to reporters in Bacolod City, the President assured the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) of fair treatment in the criminal cases filed by a young follower of his sect who accused him of repeatedly abusing her more than a decade ago.

“It seems to me a little bit [a case of the] tail wagging the dog—that he is the one setting conditions on the government on his cases, on his warrant of arrest,” the President said, using an idiom that refers to a powerful person or organization being controlled by someone much less powerful.

READ: Quiboloy: No US meddling—or catch me if you can

It was Mr. Marcos’ first direct response to Quiboloy’s demand that the government issue a written guarantee denying the United States any right to interfere in his cases.

“Unless you give me the guarantee I’m looking for, you won’t see me,” the self-styled “appointed Son of God” said in a recorded YouTube video posted over the weekend.

“Go ahead, [hunt] me [down], I will stand up and not submit to your injustice,” Quiboloy added.

‘Too far-fetched’

A joint team of police and National Bureau of Investigation agents began the search for the preacher last week on the strength of an April 1 order by a Davao court finally enforcing warrants issued earlier against Quiboloy and five of his associates for child abuse and sexual abuse.

Quiboloy remains at large while his coaccused—Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Sylvia Cemañes, Jackielyn Roy and Ingrid Canada—are now out on bail after being arrested or turned themselves in last week.

READ: Solon to Quiboloy: Don’t make demands; just surrender and face raps

Mr. Marcos dismissed Quiboloy’s fears that the United States would meddle in his legal battles.

“That’s still too far-fetched. That’s going to take years, yet,” he said.

“So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about, quite frankly,” the President said.

On the other hand, Vice President Sara Duterte, whose family has close ties with the preacher, said she was pleased that the accusations against Quiboloy were now in the proper court.

“The development has been good as it is now in the proper forum, right venue, and inside the court already,” Duterte told reporters in Pasig City on Monday.

But as a nonpracticing lawyer, she said she wouldn’t give any legal advice to Quiboloy.

“Whatever Pastor Quiboloy’s decisions are or what he will do, that’s his personal decision and I’m sure he seriously thought about this,” Duterte said.

Serious, abhorrent

In a statement on Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who is also known to be close to Quiboloy, said the KOJC leader must surrender “not according to his terms but according to the terms of the law.”

“The law applies to all without exception,” the justice chief said, adding that the charges against Quiboloy were “serious and morally abhorrent offenses.”

Also on Monday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros challenged Quiboloy to come out of hiding and appear at the next Senate hearing on the allegations against him.

“Make your words of record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” added the chair of the Senate women and children committee.

The Senate earlier issued its own arrest order against Quiboloy for failing to comply with the summons to attend the committee hearing.

In Davao City, personnel from the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms finally arrived on Monday to serve the warrant, said Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for the Davao regional police.

“They are still trying to determine the whereabouts of the pastor,” she added.

The charges against Quiboloy and the five others are for violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

They are facing a separate qualified trafficking case—a nonbailable charge—in a Pasig City court.

Quiboloy is also on the most wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for sex trafficking of children, fraud, coercion and bulk cash smuggling, among other charges. —WITH REPORTS FROM DEMPSEY REYES, DONA PAZZIBUGAN, MARLON RAMOS AND GERMELINA LACORTE INQ