Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr. answers questions from the media in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo
Fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy is still in the Philippines, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Friday, a day after one of his co-accused was arrested in Davao City.
Quiboloy is charged before the courts with child abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, exploitation, and discrimination.
“There is always the possibility that they are already in other parts of the world, but from what what we can see for now, they are just here. He is just here in the Philippines,” Abalos said at a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“We will assure you this: The Philippines is getting smaller for them. With how the police and the military operate, where are you going to hide now?” he said.
‘Just surrender’
He renewed his call for Quiboloy to surrender.
“Just surrender,” he said, adding that if he believes he is innocent, “this is the time to present your evidence and your lawyers.”
“We have procedures in court. If ever, you can appeal,” he further told Quiboloy.
Abalos also told one of Quiboloy’s legal counsels, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, as well as former presidential spokespersons Harry Roque and Salvador Panelo, to advise Quiboloy to surrender instead of questioning the bounty from the private sector.
Paulene Canada, one of his co-accused, was arrested at a Davao City subdivision on Thursday following the announcement of a P1 million bounty for her.
Canada was arrested in her home in Buhangin district at around 1 p.m. on Thursday, according to Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy’s legal counsel.
READ: Cops in Quiboloy arrest try relieved from posts
Abalos said the P1 million reward for Canada helped in her arrest.
In March this year, the Philippine National Police revoked Quiboloy’s license to own and possess firearms based on Section 4 (g) of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act No. 10591.