MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang has denied allegations that the actions taken to arrest televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy were “politically motivated.”
Over the weekend, around 2,000 police officers raided Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Buhangin District, Davao City, to serve an arrest warrant on Quiboloy.
However, authorities failed to locate him again.
“Alam mo, madaling sabihing politically motivated pero hindi naman totoo ‘yun,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in an interview Monday.
He said that it was important to apply the law against a fugitive.
“The law must take its course,” he said. “Mayroon namang process diyan.”
According to the Philippine National Police Region XI spokesperson Catherine Dela Rey, the PNP’s ground-penetrating radar detected the fugitive’s heartbeat within an underground bunker found in the compound of the church founded by Quiboloy.
“As of now, what we’re really looking for was the entrance to the bunker because the life detection device we used has positively detected heartbeats underground,” Dela Rey said in Filipino, in a Teleradyo interview.
Dela Rey said that multiple heartbeats were detected in the bunker, suggesting that the preacher may be present there. This confirms that Quiboloy was in the compound but authorities failed yet to get hold of Quiboloy as clashes between his supporters became more violent.
Supporters and members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ held a “prayer rally” on Sunday night, blocking a highway in Davao City. During the rally, they voiced support for Quiboloy and the Dutertes and condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vice President Sara Duterte likewise condemned the operation and asked supporters for forgiveness for endorsing Marcos to the religious group.
“I vehemently condemn the gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound earlier today, which led to the harassment of religious worshipers, the abuse of minors, and the unnecessary loss of life,” she said.
“I also want to ask for forgiveness from all the members and devotees of (KOJC), for encouraging and asking you to vote for Bongbong Marcos Jr. in 2022,” Duterte said.
Quiboloy now holds a fugitive status and is facing charges under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. Additionally, he has been charged with qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, which is a non-bailable offense.
