Political parties allied with Marcos Jr. admin back PNP operations vs Quiboloy

MANILA — Political parties allied with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed support for the Philippine National Police amid criticisms on its operation to find and serve the arrest warrant against fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In a statement signed by leaders of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, composed of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-CMD, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party, and National Unity Party, the alliance said it “stands firmly in support” of the PNP as it carries out its “lawful duties”.

They stressed that no one should be above the law, and called on Filipinos to remain vigilant but calm.

“The Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is resolute in its belief that no one is above the law. We call upon all Filipinos to remain vigilant but calm, trusting in the processes that safeguard our democracy. Our nation's strength lies in our collective adherence to the law, and we must all contribute to ensuring that justice is served. Let us move forward together, upholding the principles of justice, peace, and oder, for the betterment of our country,” the alliance said in a statement.

“Together, let us continue to strive for a just and an orderly society, where the rights of every individual are protected and respected,” it added.

The alliance issued the statement after Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that there was gross abuse of police power and harassment of religious worshippers in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound, where Quiboloy is believed to be hiding.

Courts in Davao City and in Pasig in April issued warrants of arrest for Quiboloy and others facing the trafficking and abuse cases. Quiboloy, whom the government considers a fugitive, has been in hiding since.

His lawyers claim the accusations against him are recycled and were made by disgruntled former members of KOJC. 

Quiboloy is also on the wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) “for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States via fraudulently obtained visas.”

The pastor has also “forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity… to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders,” according to the FBI.

In November 2021, Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and a federal warrant has since been issued for his arrest.