Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio (left), Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez (Facebook)

Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez reminded lawyer Ferdinand Topacio that his high-profile client, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, "hid like a scared rat" from police before deciding to surrender. 

Fernandez directed this statement to Topacio Monday, Sept. 9 after the latter accused Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos of being an attention-seeker in relation to Quiboloy’s capture. 

"Saan ka nakakita ng kaso na kung saan nahuli na ‘yung suspect, entitled pa ‘yung abogado niya na tawaging epal ‘yung may kustodiya ng kliyente niya?" Fernandez asked. 

(Where have you seen a case wherein the suspect was captured, and yet the lawyer was entitled enough to brand the custodian of his client as an attention-seeker?) 

"Pastor Quiboloy fell in the hands of authorities. He is facing charges of sexual abuse and human trafficking. He hid like a scared rat inside his compound. Those facts are beyond question," said the chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. 

On Sunday night, Sept. 8 Topacio claimed in a statement that the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the DILG had no hand in capturing his client. 

"He was not arrested, especially not by the [PNP] under the DILG. Therefore, it is epal to the highest level for Sec. Abalos to be seemingly taking credit for the non-existent arrest," Topacio said. 

The PNP had been conducting operations at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City for two weeks before Quiboloy emerged. Reports said that lawmen were closing in on the wanted pastor. 
 

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According to Fernandez, the situation at KOJC could have deteriorated and led to more violence if not for the calculated efforts of the DILG and PNP. 

"Secretary Benhur Abalos and the police force deserve all the praise for Quiboloy's capture. This was the best-case scenario dahil hindi na naging mas magulo pa (because further violence was prevented)," Fernandez said. 

"It would be in Quiboloy's best interest if his brilliant lawyer is now thinking of his defense rather than another petty potshot at the authorities who have control," the House leader added. 

Fernandez further advised Topacio to be more "self-aware and cautious" of his statements moving forward.