By Azer Parrocha / Philippine News Agency
President Rodrigo Duterte “will execute the laws accordingly” amid the issues hounding his spiritual adviser, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles made this assurance after being asked if Duterte would continue supporting Quiboloy amid sex trafficking charges hurled against the KOJC leader.
Nograles was also asked whether Duterte would allow Quiboloy’s extradition to the United States (US) if requested.
“As a lawyer and as a former prosecutor, and the chief executive of the country, he will execute the laws accordingly,” Nograles said in a Palace press briefing.
Nograles earlier said it is up to Duterte if he will keep Quiboloy as his spiritual adviser.
“Again, we’ll wait for the President’s statement regarding that kasi bago pa lang itong development na ito. Hayaan na lang po natin na magsalita si Pangulo tungkol po diyan,” he said in a briefing on Nov. 19.
On Friday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Quiboloy would not be accorded any special treatment.
“The DOJ, through the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking), will perform its mandate under the law, regardless of the persons involved,” Guevarra said.
Last week, the US Department of Justice indicted Quiboloy for allegedly coercing girls and young women to have sex with him under threat of “eternal damnation”.
The new indictment charged Quiboloy and two other top church officials – Teresita Dandan and Felina Salina – with participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, as well as the sex trafficking of children.
Aside from Quiboloy’s indictment in the US, a complaint was also filed against him last year before the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office for alleged rape, child abuse, ill-treatment under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), trafficking in persons through forced labor, and trafficking in persons through sexual abuse.
The prosecutor’s office dismissed the charges, although the complaint has been appealed before the DOJ’s Office of the Secretary. (PNA)-rir
