President Rodrigo Duterte “will execute the laws accordingly” amid the issues hounding his spiritual adviser, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.
Last week, the US Federal Grand Jury indicted Quiboloy and other KJC associates for sex trafficking. There is no extradition request yet for Quiboloy from the US government.
Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said that the President would still continue supporting Quiboloy amid sex trafficking charges filed against the pastor.
Nograles was also asked whether Duterte would allow Quiboloy’s extradition to the United States (US) if requested.
“As a lawyer and as a former prosecutor, and the chief executive of the country, he will execute the laws accordingly,” Nograles said in a press briefing.
Nograles earlier said it is up to Duterte if he will keep Quiboloy as his spiritual adviser.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, when asked whether the President will allow the extradition of Quiboloy, his spiritual adviser, said “President Rodrigo Duterte is a lawyer and I believe our president follows the law. The President is there to give moral support to Pastor Quiboloy. They are friends. If you’re friends with the President, he will really treat you as a friend indeed.”
The charges accused Quiboloy and others of recruiting women and girls, typically 12 to 25 years old, as “pastorals” who cooked his meals, cleaned his houses, massaged him, and traveled with him around the world.
Some also had sex with Quiboloy on scheduled “night duty,” including some minors such as a 15-year-old girl, according to reports.
“Again, we’ll wait for the President’s statement regarding that kasi bago pa lang itong development na ito (because this is just a new development). Hayaan na lang po natin na magsalita si Pangulo tungkol po diyan (Let the President make a statement on that issue),” Nograles said.
On Friday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Quiboloy would not be accorded any special treatment.
“The DOJ, through the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking), will perform its mandate under the law, regardless of the persons involved,” Guevarra said.
The new indictment charged Quiboloy and two other top church officials–Teresita Dandan and Felina Salina–with participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, as well as the sex trafficking of children.
Aside from Quiboloy’s indictment in the US, a complaint was also filed against him last year before the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office for alleged rape, child abuse, ill-treatment under the Revised Penal Code, trafficking in persons through forced labor, and trafficking in persons through sexual abuse.
The prosecutor’s office dismissed the charges, although the complaint has been appealed before the DOJ’s Office of the Secretary.