Captured televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. —Photo from DILG Sec. Abalos/Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa were reportedly “instrumental in hiding” captured preacher Apollo Quiboloy for several months and could be held liable for obstructing the alleged rapist’s arrest, according to some lawmakers.
Three lawmakers namely 1Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre, and House Assistant Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V shared the same sentiments on Sunday in a joint statement.
READ: PNP set to file a criminal complaint vs. persons who harbored Quiboloy
“The way that we see it, if indeed it is true that they have prior knowledge on his whereabouts, and then they intentionally hid him, there will be criminal liabilities for that,” Gutierrez said.
“Whether or not they are liable, we leave it to the Department of Justice to properly seek if there is indeed probable cause, and the proper cases would be filed,” he added.
Acidre, on the other hand, said the government should focus on the victims of Quiboloy and his Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s (KJC) crimes.
“It’s about the people who were trafficked, those minors who were sent abroad and who were forced to marry those who committed the crime. If pastor Quiboloy is liable, then it is up to the court to decide so that we can say that finally, justice can prevail,” he added.
Moreover, Ortega asked if KJC members could be held accountable for supporting and defending the preacher.
“Were they defending (Quiboloy) or were they just conducting the public hearing? It is because they conducted a public hearing, that is my immediate question. Were they adopted members of KOJC? So, were they representing or were they adopted members?” Ortega asked.
Earlier Sunday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that a complaint of obstruction of justice will be filed against individuals suspected of harboring Quiboloy.
PNP pointed out that Quiboloy could not have evaded arrest for a long time without the help of his close associates and legal representatives, whom he said helped the sect leader by “misleading authorities regarding his whereabouts.”
Quiboloy and four of his subordinates Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes surrendered after they were given a 24-hour ultimatum. The religious leader is detained in the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The other respondents, who were also previously in the custodial center, were transferred to Pasig City Jail last Friday. One of the suspects, Paulene Canada, was the first to be arrested in July and is now detained in Pasig.
Quiboloy and five other suspects pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and child abuse filed before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Quezon City RTC.