PBBM defends Quiboloy bounty, dares pastor to show himself

FUGITIVE. Old billboard of fugitive religious leader Apollo Quiboloy still up along EDSA in Makati City, near the Guadalupe area as of Tuesday (July 9, 2024).
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a media interview Wednesday (July 10, 2024), defended the initiative of private citizens to offer a PHP10-million reward for anyone who can give information that will lead to the arrest of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader, who is wanted for sexual abuses and human trafficking. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday dared embattled televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to show himself and face the charges against him.

In a media interview, Marcos defended the initiative of private citizens in putting a PHP10-million reward for anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest of the fugitive religious leader.

Quiboloy is wanted for sexual abuse and human trafficking.

“They want to help us bring a fugitive to justice.

He is a fugitive. He is hiding from the law. If there are private citizens who want to assist the government in that effort to bring him to justice, I don’t see why it is [an issue],” Marcos told reporters.

“He can question their motives as much as he wants pero magpakita siya (but show himself). I question his motives. Let me question his motive. Bakit kami laging kinukuwestyon? Sinusundan lang namin ang batas.

Sundin din niya ang batas (Why they always question us? We’re just following the law.

I suggest they follow the law as well),” he added.

Earlier this week, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced that citizens have pooled a PHP10-million reward for information that can help in the arrest of Quiboloy.

Quiboloy’s co-accused, Crisente, Paulene and Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Cemañes, and Jackielyn Roy each have a PHP1 million bounty.

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader has standing arrest warrants for child and sexual abuse issued by the Davao City Regional Trial Court, and human trafficking issued by a Pasig City court, which are non-bailable cases.