MANILA – A Palace official on Monday denied that the police operation against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is politically motivated.
According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the police officials were following the laws by serving the arrest warrant against Quiboloy and his co-accused.
“This is not politically motivated,” Bersamin told the media in an interview during the National Heroes Day commemoration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.
The controversial pastor is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.
“(Quiboloy) is answerable to the law. The law must take its course. Mayroon namang process diyan,” said Bersamin.
Bersamin’s statement came after Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio questioned if the operation against Quiboloy was conducted due to his close ties to the Dutertes.
“Hindi ko rin maiwasang matanong sa sarili kung ang paggamit ba ng di pangkaraniwang pwersa at di makatarungang pang-aabuso sa ordinaryong Pilipino upang maipatupad ang naturang warrant of arrest ay dahil sa ang akusado ay isang kilalang Duterte-supporter,” the Vice President said in a statement on Sunday.
Operatives from the Police Regional Office 11 trooped to the KOJC compound on Saturday in an attempt to serve the two arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his four other co-accused.
The police officials, led by Director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, remain inside the KOJC compound as of Monday morning as they have no plans to leave until Quiboloy is arrested.
The PNP first attempted to arrest Quiboloy was on June 10 in Davao City. Police used ladders then to enter the compound and this caused tension between police officers and KOJC missionaries who were waiting outside the compound./PN
