Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday, August 22 said the failure to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy is a slap in the face for the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Escudero said he finds it embarrassing for the PNP to be unable to effect an arrest warrant against a known major personality facing a major case.
“Medyo nakakahiya ang PNP dahil isa ito sa mga major na kaso na alam ng buong bansa at medyo sampal na sa kanila na hangang ngayon ay hindi nila maipatupad yung warrant of arrest laban sa apat na tao dahil nakuha na yata yung isa (It’s embarrassing for the PNP because this is a major case that the whole nation knows, and thus, is a slap in their face, because until now they cannot implement the warrant of arrest against the four people, and they only got one),” Escudero said in an interview over Radio 630.
Escudero was referring to Paulene Canada, one of the individuals subject of the arrest warrant, and was arrested in her residence in Davao City last July 11.
“So ang tanong ko hinahanap ba talaga? Meron ba talagang galaw hakbang at seryosong paghahanap dahil bakit siya nakuha sa bahay niya na parang normal naman ang buhay (So my question is, are they really looking for them? Is there really a move and a serious search because why she was taken from her house like her life was normal),” he pointed out.
Nevertheles, the Senate leader said he believes that many of the PNP officials are doing their best to enforce the arrest warrant against Quiboloy and other KOJC officials who are also charged with human trafficking, rape and sexual and labor abuses.
“Tingin ko nga marami sa ating opisyal sa kapulisan ay ginagawa ang lahat ng kaya nilang gawin pero masyado na rin kasing matagal (I think that many of our police officers are doing everything they can but it has been taking too long),” he said.
“At kung seguridad ni pastor ang kinukwestiyon nila ‘di paano na lang kung bawat may warrant of arrest ang sasabihin magpapakita lang ako kapag sigurado ako na ligtas ako (And if they are questioning the pastor's security, what if everyone with an arrest warrant says I will only show up when I am sure that I am safe)?” he pointed out.