KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. urged Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy to surrender and face the criminal charges filed against him, saying that the religious leader "has nothing to worry about."
DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. speaks at the opening of the 110th Kalivungan Festival and the Yaman ng Cotabato: Travel and Trade Expo which is part of the 110th founding anniversary of Cotabato at the provincial capitol grounds in Barangay Amas in Kidapawan City on Monday, August 26. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)
Abalos made the appeal during the opening of the 110th Kalivungan Festival and the launching of the Yaman ng Cotabato: Travel and Trade Expo on Monday, August 24.
"We are all brothers and sisters. I am requesting Pastor Quiboloy to surrender so that this matter can be concluded. Probably, it is a good opportunity for him to clear his name. If that is really what he's saying (that he is innocent), so let it be," Abalos, who was accompanied by North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou "Lala" Taliño-Mendoza during the event, said.
Abalos cited former Justice Secretary and Sen. Leila de Lima who was accused of drug trafficking but was able to resolve them with how the wheels of justice turned. He added that Quiboloy should not worry about the country's justice system.
He asked for public understanding on the police attempt to arrest the religious leader at the KOJC compound in Davao City, saying the courts issued arrest orders and the police are only doing their job.
"We have a due process in our justice system that we have to follow. The police are mandated to serve the arrest warrants. As brothers and sisters, we should respect each other's belief and abide with the law, as well," the DILG Secretary added.
Abalos said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other government officials have nothing to do with what is happening at the compound.
"I only supervise but the entire operation was by the police. If there's an adequate intelligence report, so be it. If they feel they have to serve the arrest warrants now or tomorrow, so be it. I do not want to be an obstruction to their operation," Abalos said.
"Please understand the work of the police in this situation, as they need to conduct thorough searches, room by room. Please be patient with them. What’s important is that they adhere to the law, no shooting, no physical confrontations, and no carrying of firearms," he added.
Abalos said though he is not fully aware of the situation on the ground, he has been informed that police have been hurt. He asked for everyone's cooperation, hoping that there would be no obstructions, to enable the police could complete their duty quickly for everyone's benefit.