PNP files charges against persons who gave shelter to Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police is preparing to file charges against those suspected of harboring fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy for obstruction of justice.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil announced yesterday that a comprehensive investigation is underway to bring to justice those who helped Quiboloy evade law enforcement.

“We will not tolerate any form of obstruction of justice,” Marbil said.

“The aim of our investigation is to identify those who knowingly gave refuge to Quiboloy. We will ensure that they face the appropriate legal consequences,” he added.

Quiboloy, who is accused of child sexual abuse and aggravated human trafficking, among other crimes, was tracked down at the KOJC compound after a 16-day police operation that ended on September 8, when he was finally forced to leave his hiding place.

Marbil stressed that Quiboloy’s evasion of arrest would not have been possible without the help of his close confidants and legal representatives, who allegedly misled the authorities about his whereabouts.

“Obstruction of justice is a serious offense,” the PNP official said, adding that all those who shielded Quiboloy from law enforcement would face charges.

“The law is clear – no one is above it and those who helped Quiboloy will be held accountable,” Marbil said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has been tasked with solving the case.

The CIDG will lead the investigation and ensure that those who were complicit in harboring the fugitive are prosecuted. This announcement follows earlier warnings from Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who said that those who harbored Quiboloy would be thoroughly investigated and charged.

Duterte, Sara, Bato liable?

Three other lawmakers expressed their belief that former President Rodrigo Duterte, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, among others, could be held liable for allegedly coddling Quiboloy and hindering his arrest.

Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre and House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V said the trio from Davao were allegedly instrumental in hiding Quiboloy from authorities for several months.

“The way we see it, if it is indeed true that they knew in advance of his whereabouts and then deliberately hid him, there will be criminal prosecution,” Gutierrez told reporters, specifically mentioning harboring a fugitive and obstruction of justice.

“Whether they are liable or not, we leave it to the Department of Justice to properly investigate whether there is indeed sufficient suspicion and to file the appropriate cases,” he said.

Acidre said the government should focus on the most important aspect of the case. “We should not forget that this case is not about the perpetrator. It is about the victims.”

“It’s about the people who have been victims of human trafficking, the minors who have been sent abroad and forced to marry the perpetrators. If Father Quiboloy is liable, the court must decide so that we can finally say that justice can prevail,” he said.

Ortega wondered whether the members of the KOJC could also be held accountable for their role.

“Did they defend (Quiboloy) or did they just conduct the public hearing? That is my immediate question because they conducted a public hearing. Were they adopted members of the KOJC? So did they represent Quiboloy or were they adopted members?” he asked.

Last week, Reps. Joel Chua and Raul Angelo Bongalon suggested that Duterte could face charges of harboring a fugitive and obstruction of justice for feigning innocence regarding the preacher’s exact whereabouts.

“Duterte, who is the administrator of the KOJC compound where Quiboloy was arrested, cannot simply distance himself from this disturbing situation,” Chua noted.

“His (Duterte’s) role within the KOJC complex puts him at the center of this unfolding scandal, and the public has a right to clear answers about his involvement,” he added, noting that Quiboloy’s own television network Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) has described Duterte as a “transitional official.”

In March this year, SMNI appointed Duterte as administrator of KOJC properties.

“I think the former president meets the definition of an accomplice,” Bongalon said.

He also said that as a lawyer, Duterte should know what he is talking about. “Being a lawyer also means being a judicial officer. Simply put, he should not be someone who is complicit in the violation of the laws of the country.”

“It can even be a basis for a motion to disbar him, especially if it can be proven that he did it intentionally – it means he did not serve the ends of justice, which is obviously a violation of the law,” Bongalon said. “Remember, he was – basically – a former president.”

He hinted that Duterte’s daughter Sara and her good friend Dela Rosa could also be investigated and even charged with obstruction of justice for trying to divert police attention from the execution of Quiboloy’s arrest warrant.

“In my view, the same principle applies to both. If the former president – ​​who used to be the primary enforcer of the country’s laws – can be charged for helping Quiboloy hide, then the same applies to his daughter and the former PNP chief who is now a senator,” he explained.

“Let us remember that the Vice President herself has declared that the good pastor has already left the country. And what is she doing now that Quiboloy has been arrested? Did she protect him and obstruct the administration of justice by diverting the attention of the police, or not?” Bongalon asked. — Delon Porcalla