Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros. (FILE) Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros has commended the authorities for the arrest of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy whom she said can no longer “outrun the law” and “will not further delay justice.”
Hontiveros issued the statement on Sunday evening after Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced that Quiboloy had already been caught by authorities.
“Mananagot ka (You will pay), Apollo Quiboloy. You cannot outrun the law. You will not further delay justice. Abot kamay na ng mga victim-survivors ang hustisya, salamat sa kanilang paglalakas-loob na magsabi ng katotohanan,” the senator said.
(Victim-survivors are now a step closer to justice, thank you for the courage to tell the truth.)
READ: Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested – DILG chief Abalos
“We commend our law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts and dedication, despite Quiboloy’s tactics,” she added.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros said that the Senate will continue its investigation to end the abuses against the most vulnerable in society.
“Bilang na ang araw ng tulad nilang naghahari-harian, nambabastos sa batas, at nang-aabuso sa kababaihan, kabataan, at kapwa nating Pilipino,” she added.
(The days of people like them ruling, defying the law, and abusing women, youth, and our fellow Filipinos are numbered.)
Abalos earlier announced the arrest of Quiboloy but did not provide further details.
For his part, Police Regional Office 11 chief Brig. General Nicolas Torre III said a plane arrived in Davao City, but he clarified that he was unsure whether it was used to fetch the fugitive.
He added that they were ordered to release nine vehicles from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound after the plane arrived.
“Basta namataan natin ang C-130 na nag-landing sa TOG (Tactical Operations Group) 11 pagkatapos may utos sa atin na palabasin ang siyam na sasakyan dun sa hangar papunta sa loob ng airport pina-guide ng ating AVSEU (Aviation Security Group) unit natin dinala sa eroplano,” Torre disclosed.
(We spotted a C-130 plane that landed at the TOG 11 and after that, there was an order to release nine vehicles from the hanger going to the airport. Our AVSEU unit asked to guide the vehicles towards the plane.)
Last April 3, a Davao Regional Trial Court issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his five subordinates.
They are facing charges of violating Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.
Aside from this, a Pasig City court also issued a warrant for the arrest of the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” for qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, on April 11.
An arrest order for Quiboloy from the Senate panel on women headed by Hontiveros had also been released.