DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo Duterte denied hiding Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
DUTERTE (Ivy Tejano)
Duterte addressed rumors that he is coddling Quiboloy in a vast property in Barangay Tamayong, Calinan District, this city, in a press conference here on Thursday, April 11.
He humorously offered a reward to people who will find him there. “I will give you P500,000 if you can find him in my house,” Duterte said.
Duterte invited the Davao media to accompany him to Tamayong Prayer Mountain after the press conference and look for the pastor there.
The former Chief Executive described how big the KOJC property in Tamayong. He said the pastor must be in one of the houses there, which should be subjected to a separate search warrant.
“He will go around there, you will chase each other, and when you are tired and done, you’ll end up joining the Kingdom of Jesus Christ,” Duterte said in a local dialect.
Quiboloy has arrest warrants for sexual abuse and child abuse from a Davao City court. A Pasig City court also issued an arrest warrant against him for human trafficking, a non-bailable offense.
He has an arrest order from the Senate for consistently refusing to attend committee hearings over accusations of rape, sexual abuse, violence, and human trafficking.
The pastor is wanted in the United States for sex trafficking and cash smuggling.
Duterte said he should not be implicated in Quiboloy’s issue since only he is the one being sought. He added that the sect leader can go to court, fix the charges against him, and post bail.
“If you think you cannot get a fair deal with this administration because I have been talking about President Marcos Jr. and everything, di huwag kang lumabas diyan sa Tamayong (then don't leave Tamayong),” Duterte said in jest.
Duterte, who had been appointed as the KOJC administrator, admitted that he maintains regular contact with his friend Quiboloy. He, however, clarified that they refrain from discussing Quiboloy’s case.
In an audio recording released on April 6, Quiboloy said he is not hiding and will face the charges against him if the government consents to his conditions.
Quiboloy said the events unfolding were merely a setup by American authorities to apprehend him, anticipating an extraordinary extradition once caught.