Former senator Leila de Lima (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook, Malacañang photo)

Two members of the “Young Guns” bloc in the House of Representatives expressed support to former senator Leila de Lima after she slammed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s criticism of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) enforcement of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's arrest warrant.

Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre and Assistant Majority Leader Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon said Duterte should refrain from criticizing authorities in their enforcement of a legal warrant of arrest against a fugitive of the law.

Both congressmen said the former president should instead promote the upholding of the law “at all times” and with “no exceptions”. 

“We support Sen. De Lima’s pronouncement that ex-President Duterte should be helping authorities enforce the warrant of arrest against his ally, Apollo Quiboloy,” Acidre said in a statement on Sunday, Aug. 25.

Following the raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City by authorities enforcing the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy, Duterte stressed that “rights had been trampled upon”.

The former president, who served from 2016 to 2022, said that members of the KOJC became “victims” of “political harassment, persecution, violence, and abuse of authority”.

In a post on social media, De Lima noted that there was nothing illegal about enforcing valid arrest warrants.

“Sayo pa talaga nanggaling ito? Kapal ng mukha! Bakit hindi ka na lang tumulong sa mga awtoridad?” exclaimed De Lima. 

(Coming from you? You have no shame! Why don't you just help the authorities?)

Acidre agreed with the former senator-slash-justice secretary, and noted that the operation to enforce the arrest warrant was valid.

“We hope the former president refrains from issuing statements that tend to sow confusion and divide the Filipino nation based on a very faulty line of reasoning. How can one argue against a legitimate operation of law enforcement agencies?” the lawmaker said.

Bongalon likewise pointed out that Duterte should be the last to “react adversely” to the operation against Quiboloy.

“Bilang dating presidente, siya po ang unang-una na dapat na mag-uphold ng rule of law (As a former president, he is the first person who should uphold the rule of law.) Why would he say such a thing?” said Bongalon.

“Alam nating lahat na kaibigang matalik ng dating pangulo ang object ng arrest warrant na ito. Hindi ba dapat pairalin na lamang ang delicadeza at ‘wag na siyang magsalita tungkol dito?” He asked. 

(We all know that the object of this arrest warrant is a close friend of the former president. Shouldn't he just have the delicadeza and stop talking about this?)

Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God", was Duterte's spiritual adviser during the latter’s time in power. 

Quiboloy remains at large despite the issuance of arrest warrants from Pasig City and Davao City regional trial courts (RTCs) on charges of child sexual abuse and human trafficking. He is also on the most wanted list by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, among other alleged crimes

The Marcos administration earlier offered a P10-million cash reward to anyone who will provide credible information that would lead to the arrest of Quiboloy.