Malacañang on Monday called on the public to maintain peace and let the rule of law prevail amidst the ongoing standoff between supporters of fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and law enforcement officers in Davao City.
This even as a ranking lawmaker asked Vice President Sara Duterte to take the sides of the human trafficking victims instead of taking the cudgels for fugitive KOJC leader.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stressed that the “law must take its course” as he backed the policemen serving arrest warrants against Quiboloy and several KOJC leaders.
“He is answerable to the law. The law must take its course. We have a process for that,” the former Chief Justice told reporters when asked to comment on allegations that the hunt for the fugitive pastor was politically motivated.
Quiboloy and five other KOJC members are facing charges of child abuse and human trafficking.
Courts in Davao City and Pasig City have already ordered their arrest.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) stormed the KOJC compound in Davao City early Saturday morning. However, they found no sign of Quiboloy in the compound, some 30 hectares that include a cathedral, a school, a living area, a hangar and a taxiway leading to Davao International Airport.
Over at the House of Representatives, Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin slammed Vice President Sara Duterte over her statement condemning the police operation at the KOJC headquarters, where authorities served an arrest warrant against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused, who are facing serious charges of child abuse and human trafficking.
Garin expressed deep concern over Duterte’s remarks, saying that the Vice President's statement appeared to defend a powerful figure accused of heinous crimes, rather than seeking justice for the victims.
“As a mother, a woman, and a public servant, I cannot remain silent in the face of Vice President Sara Duterte's recent statement concerning the [KOJC] and the ongoing legal actions against its leaders,” Garin said.
“While Vice President Duterte expresses concern over the police's implementation of lawful warrants, I find it troubling that her sympathies appear to lie more with a powerful figure wanted for serious crimes rather than with the vulnerable women and minors who have suffered at the hands of an accused predator,” she pointed out.
She emphasized the gravity of the charges against Quiboloy and other KOJC leaders, noting that these are not mere allegations but are supported by substantial evidence, leading to international arrest warrants.
“These are not trivial matters to be dismissed or overshadowed by political spin. The real issue here is justice for the victims—innocent individuals whose lives have been irrevocably harmed,” Garin said.
The lawmaker also criticized Duterte for what she sees as an attempt to shift the focus away from the need for justice and accountability.
“Instead of addressing these serious concerns, Vice President Duterte’s statement seems to shift the narrative away from the need for justice and accountability,” she said.
As a legislator committed to protecting the rights and safety of all Filipinos, particularly children, Garin stressed the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the most vulnerable.
She called on leaders to uphold their responsibility to the public, especially to those who are most at risk.
“It is essential that our leaders prioritize the welfare of the most vulnerable among us, not the defense of those with power and influence who have been accused of heinous crimes,” she stated, underscoring the need for leaders to be on the side of justice.
Garin urged Filipinos, especially parents, to reflect on the Vice President’s statements as she emphasized the importance of standing together for justice and child protection.
“The message from the Vice President may resonate with those who supported her in the 2022 elections, but it must also be recognized for what it is—a deflection from the grave issues at hand,” Garin said.
“I urge all Filipinos, particularly mothers and fathers, to consider the implications of her words and to stand firmly on the side of justice and the protection of our children,” she added.
She concluded by calling for accountability and urging everyone to demand that leaders uphold justice. “We must hold accountable those who would harm the innocent, and we must demand that our leaders do the same.”
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