President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos — PNA file photo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said there will be “no special treatment” for fugitive Apollo Quiboloy.
Marcos made the pronouncement as he told the public that Quiboloy’s rights will be respected as he faces his charges in the country.
READ: After long hunt, gov’t takes hold of Quiboloy
“But again there is no special treatment, although he is a very prominent person. Actually, kahit may magsabi na gawin nating special treatment, hindi namin alam gawin ‘yon eh. We don’t know how much special treatment is,” said Marcos in a chance interview with Palace reporters.
(But again there is no special treatment, although he is a very prominent person. Actually, even if we are told to give special treatment, we don’t know how to do that. We don’t know how much special treatment is.)
“So we will treat him like any other arrested person and we will respect his rights,” he added.
According to Marcos, with Quiboloy’s arrest, the executive branch of the government’s duty is “now over” and that it is now up to the judiciary to tackle the charges against Quiboloy.
He then said the government will ensure that the judicial process against Quiboloy will be “transparent” and that all involved will be held accountable.
“We will go through the process, the process will be transparent. Everyone who is involved will be accountable. And we will demonstrate once again to the world that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, is vibrant and is working,” he said.
The pastor is facing child abuse cases before a Davao City court, as well as a standing arrest warrant for human trafficking issued by a Pasig City court.
On top of these cases, Quiboloy is also facing several criminal charges in the United States namely, Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion; Conspiracy; and Bulk Cash Smuggling.