Metro Manila, Philippines — Malacañang has denied that state action against controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was politically motivated.
This was after some 2,000 Davao police personnel stormed the compound of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City over the weekend, hoping to serve the arrest warrant against its founder Quiboloy.
“Alam mo, madaling sabihing politically motivated pero hindi naman totoo ‘yun,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told reporters on Monday, Aug. 26.
[Translation: It’s easy to say that it is politically motivated but it’s not true.]
“The law must take its course,” Bersamin said. “Mayroon namang process diyan [There’s due process].”
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A male member of KOJC died on Saturday after he lost consciousness during the manhunt for Quiboloy. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The Dutertes have condemned the raid. Vice President Sara Duterte even asked for forgiveness from KOJC for seeking electoral support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 national elections.
A self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” Quiboloy is facing arrest warrants for abuse and human trafficking cases in Davao and Pasig courts.
The televangelist is also wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme and sex trafficking, among others.
Quiboloy is still at large. Authorities say the pastor is holed up underground as they heard a heartbeat from their radar, but they are yet to locate an entry point.
