‘Sampal sa kanila:’ Escudero hits PNP’s failure to arrest Quiboloy

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero  (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday said the Philippine National Police’ (PNP) failure to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy is a “slap in the face.”

“Medyo nakakahiya na ang  Philippine National Police dahil isa ito sa mga major na kaso  na alam ng buong ng bansa at medyo sampal na sa kanila  na hanggang ngayon ay hindi nila maipatupad yung warrant of arrest laban sa apat na tao dahil nakuha na yata yung isa,” Escudero said  over Radyo 630.

(It’s already quite embarrassing for the Philippine National Police because this  is one of the major cases that is known throughout the country and it’s like  a slap in the face for them that until  now they could not implement the warrant  of arrest against four individuals since one of them has already been arrested.)

Quiboloy and five others were ordered arrested in April by two separate courts in Davao and Pasig for alleged sexual abuse, and qualified human trafficking.

It has also been six months already since the Senate ordered in March the arrest of  Quiboloy for his refusal to face the chamber’s committee on women’s probe into the same allegations and other human rights abuses leveled against him.

Of the six individuals ordered arrested by the courts,  Escudero noted that one was only arrested at home.

The Senate chief was referring to Paulene Canada , who was arrested in her home in  Davao City last July 11.

“Ang tanong  ko, hinahanap ba talaga? Meron  ba talagang galaw, hakbang at seryosong paghahanap dahil bakit sya nakuha sa bahay nya, na parang normal naman ang buhay?” he asked.

(My question is, are they really looking for him [Quiboloy]? Is there any  effort, action, or serious pursuit,  because why was Canada found at her home living a seemingly normal life?)

Escudero, however, still believes that many PNP officials  are doing their best to arrest Quiboloy  though “it’s just taking too long.”

“At kung seguridad ni Pastor ang kini-question nila e di  pano na lang kung bawat may warrant of arrest  ay sasabihin e magpapakita  lang ako  pag sigurado na ligtas ako. Mahirap ipatupad na ang ating justice system sa bansa kung mangyayari  po yan,” Escudero said.

(And if they’re questioning Quiboloy’s security, then what if everyone with an arrest warrant says that they will only surrender when their safety is assured? It will be difficult to enforce our justice system if that happens.)