MANILA – Law enforcers on Thursday urged supporters and friends of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy to convince the fugitive to surrender following the issuance of arrest warrants against him and five others on child and sexual abuse charges.
“Ang pakiusap natin sa mga supporters at mga kaibigan ni pastor ay sana po ay tulungan nya kami na makiusap kay pastor na harapin na lamang nya ang kaso nya na ito at maging mahinahon sa magiging proseso ng kanyang pagsuko… respetuhin po natin ang judicial process (We call on the supporters and friends of the pastor to help us convince him to just face the charges, and be calm on the process of his surrender. Let's respect the judicial process),” Philippine National Police Public Information Office Chief Col. Jean Fajardo said.
“And on the part of PNP ay sisiguruhin po natin rerespetuhin natin ang karapatang pantao ni pastor (we assure that his rights will be respected).”
Persons who help Quiboloy elude arrest may be held liable, the PNP warned.
The Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 12 earlier issued a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy, Jackielyn W. Roy, Crescente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes for child abuse.
Quiboloy’s co-accused have already surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with three of them posting bail for their temporary liberty.
Tracker teams consisting of the Davao police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the NBI are conducting a manhunt for Quiboloy.
In a statement Wednesday night, the Department of Justice (DOJ) welcomed the handling by the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 12 (Family Court) of the cases against Quiboloy after the Court issued an arrest warrant against him and five others.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he respects the independence of the Court and will “let the wheels of justice move on its own.”
“Our prosecutors performed their duties excellently according to their mandate. We now leave it to the Court to do its share,” Remulla said.
“This may be a very tedious fight, but I hope justice will be completely delivered to those who deserve it.” (PNA)