DAYS after former President Rodrigo Duterte boasted of knowing where controversial televangelist Apollo Quiboloy is hiding, the Philippine National Police (PNP) hinted at pressing charges against the former for harboring a fugitive.
According to PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, Duterte is duty-bound to disclose Quiboloy’s whereabouts and failure to do so translates to obstruction of justice.
Previously, Duterte claimed that he knew exactly where Quiboloy was hiding, but would rather keep his mouth shut – “Alam ko kung san si Pastor, pero secret.”
“Obstruction of justice po yan,” Marbil said.
“I just want to make it clear, hindi po siya pastor. He’s a fugitive of the law. Tatlong buwan na eh, more than two months na pong nagtatago,” the country’s top cop was quotes as saying in a radio interview.
Asked to clarify whether the PNP would file a complaint against Duterte, Marbil said: “Sabi niya na alam niya, then we’re looking and we’re getting witnesses to file a case against these people. Hindi po tayo pwedeng magtago ng pugante.”
“Kung sino mang nagtatago n’yan, same gobyerno tayo. Kung tingin mo talagang… siya [ay] inosente, then go to court,” a seeming determined PNP chief averred.
Quiboloy is facing sexual abuse and trafficking cases in Davao City and Pasig City courts over complaints filed by former Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members. Quiboloy said the allegations were fabricated by KOJC members who had grudges against the religious group.
PNP has been searching for Quiboloy since June in a bid to serve the arrest warrant against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder. All effort however proved futile. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
