Marcos to Quiboloy: Magpakita ka

MONTALBAN, Rizal - President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday challenged Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to show up and face the accusations thrown against him.

In an ambush interview, Marcos was asked for reaction on Quiboloy’s camp questioning the motives of the private individuals who offered P10 million for any information that will lead to the KOJC leader’s arrest.

Marcos, who seemed furious, said they are just following the law as he also questioned the pastor's camp’s motive.

“He can question their motives as much as they want. But magpakita siya (he should show himself). I question his motives. Let me question his motives,” Marcos said.

“Bakit lagi kami kinukuwestiyon? Sinusundan lang namin ang batas. Sundin din niya ang batas. ‘Yun lang,” he added.

(Why are we always being questioned? We are just following the law. He should also follow the law. That's it.)

According to Marcos, he sees nothing wrong with private individuals offering money for Quiboloy's arrest. The President even called Quiboloy a fugitive.

''Bakit hindi? (Why not?) They want to help us bring a fugitive to justice. You know, he is a fugitive. He is hiding from the law,'' Marcos said.

''Now, if there are private citizens who want to assist the government in that effort to bring him to justice, I do not see what is any…,'' he added.

Arrest warrants were issued against Quiboloy and others for alleged violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and Republic Act No. 9208 or Qualified Human Trafficking. Quiboloy has denied the charges.

The Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) went to a property owned by KOJC in Davao City last month to serve the arrest warrant against Quiboloy but they did not find him.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday announced a reward worth P10 million is being offered for any information that will lead to Quiboloy's arrest.

Abalos said the reward was raised by friends who wanted to help.

Aside from Quiboloy, P1 million each is also offered for the other five co-accused, Abalos added.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Quiboloy's legal counsel, on Tuesday questioned the motives of the private individuals who offered the P10 million bounty.

“May mga kwestyon lang po kami… kung [bakit] ayaw sabihin ni Secretary Abalos kung sino itong mga pribadong taong ito para malaman natin at makilatis natin ang kanilang motibo kung bakit itong si Pastor Quiboloy ay binibigyan nila ng napakalaking pabuya,” Topacio said in an interview on Balitanghali.

(We have some questions. Why is it that Secretary Abalos does not want to divulge who these private individuals are so we would know their motives for raising such a big reward for Pastor Quiboloy?)

Former President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he knows the whereabouts of Quiboloy. However, he said he would not disclose it.

The Philippine National Police said it is studying whether or not Duterte is liable for obstruction of justice after he said that.

Earlier this year, Marcos urged Quiboloy to use the congressional hearings to answer the accusations being leveled against him and his religious group.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced in March that qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases will be filed against Quiboloy.

In April, Marcos vowed that the proceedings against Quiboloy would be fair, adding that the latter should not worry about the United States meddling in his cases.

Quiboloy is also wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for sex trafficking charges.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for 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.

In 2022, the FBI issued “Wanted” posters for Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “appointed son of god,” and two other members of his KOJC, namely Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Helen Panilag.

Quiboloy is "wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders," the FBI said.

Here at home, a Davao court has issued a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and five others over charges of child abuse. An arrest warrant was also issued by a Pasig court for Quiboloy for human trafficking charges.

The Senate has also issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for "unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices," at hearings on his alleged involvement in the sexual abuse of his members and human trafficking issues.

Quiboloy maintained innocence over the allegations thrown against him. —KG, GMA Integrated News