FOR two experienced lawyers, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy cannot be blamed for the sentiment he shared in his recent statement.
It can be remembered that recently, the good pastor clarified that he is not hiding from the simple case he is currently facing here in the Philippines, but that he is merely trying to protect himself from the possible extraordinary rendition that the United States could carry out.
“If there was a fair fight, he will show up. But the Americans don’t play fair.”
“It is documented that it is legal for them to kidnap. It is documented that they carry out extraordinary renditions,” according to Atty. Harry Roque, Former Presidential Spokesperson.
For Former Palace Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque, this is what Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is avoiding from happening – kidnapping by means of acquiring jurisdiction over his person. That’s why for Atty. Roque, the good pastor simply cannot be blamed when he says he needs to protect himself.
Atty. Roque also shared his understanding of the context of Pastor Apollo’s statement that he would rather choose to die at the hands of Filipinos than at the hands of Americans.
“So, can you blame Pastor Quiboloy that although he is ready to face the cases in the Philippines, he suspects that once he is caught, he will be sent directly to America. Well, the problem is, it’s good if he goes directly to the American court because the first time he was charged with no evidence – frivolous case – the court dismissed it immediately. What if after being kidnapped, he is subject to extraordinary rendition, gets tortured and eventually dies? So, this is the context of what Pastor Quiboloy said that, ‘I will die,’ but he prefers to have Filipinos do the killing. He doesn’t want Americans to kill him,” Atty. Roque added.
Pastor ACQ sets conditions before facing his case in the Philippines
It can be remembered that on March 5, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revived the case against Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy that was previously dismissed by the Davao City prosecutor in 2020.
And because there was already a warrant of arrest filed in relation to this, Pastor Apollo gave conditions before he faces this case – and that was to have the assurance of the Marcos administration that the United States will not meddle or interfere in the said case and no extraordinary rendition would take place.
“You want me to appear to face all of this? Here’s my condition. Give me the guarantee that the Americans will not interfere in this case in the Philippines – that the FBI, the CIA, the U.S. Embassy, will not meddle. Give me guarantee that the President of the Philippines. Give me the guarantee of Secretary of the Department of Justice ‘Boying’ Remulla – that should be written. Give me the guarantee of the PNP Head Gen. (Rommel Francisco) Marbil. Give me the guarantee of the NBI head and the CIDG, that there will be no American interference and no extraordinary rendition will occur. I will appear and deal with all those cases, no matter where you bring them here in the Philippines,” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, Kingdom of Jesus Christ stated.
America will do everything to pursue those on their wanted list—Atty. Panelo
For former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo, the United States will do everything to arrest someone who lands on their wanted list. and if not.
“You know, if you listen carefully to his statements, it is very evident that the fear for his life is real. The danger in his life is very real. And there is a basis, because the United States government, when you are on their wanted list, they really do everything to erase you from the planet. That has already been shown in history – they actually assassinate those on their wanted list when they cannot get them.”
“Look at the record of the US government. As long as you’re on the wanted list and you’re a terrorist – well, they’ve already classified [Pastor Quiboloy] a terrorist so he’s already included in that. Look at where those on their wanted list are now – there, they are already talking to Saint Peter, to [Satan] down there. No more. It’s finished,” said Atty. Salvador ‘Sal’ Panelo, Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
Pres. Marcos Jr. has to give Pastor ACQ a guarantee—Atty. Panelo
And because the case that Pastor Apollo now faces is complex, Atty. Panelo also said that the good pastor must be given a guarantee from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself to ensure his safety.
“That is the reason why he doesn’t want to come out and he set conditions for his surrender. And I think President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. [should] give him a guarantee because the threat – the danger to his life is very real and there is a real basis for it. He is asking for a few things – the written guarantees from the president down to all law enforcement agencies. For me, the law enforcement agencies are not necessary. I think that when President Marcos Jr. does that then Pastor [Quiboloy] will come out, and [former] President Duterte and I will accompany him. That’s all. Because when President Marcos Jr. says, ‘Watch over him. You’ll be made liable. I will not allow anyone to touch Pastor Quiboloy.’ That’s enough,” Atty. Panelo stressed.
Pres. Marcos Jr. responds to Pastor Quiboloy’s conditions
In relation to that, President Marcos Jr. gave a response to the conditions that Pastor Apollo laid out before facing the cases filed against him.
“It seems to be a little bit tail wagging the dog, they call it, that he will give the condition to the government on his case – he is accused, in the warrant of arrest.”
“What I can promise – all the proceedings will be fair. Now, as to the involvement of the United States, that’s still a long way off,” according to Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos, Jr., Republic of the Philippines.
VP Sara Duterte: The development is good – there is already a case
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte has also given her statement on the issue.
“The development is good that there is already a case – it’s in the right forum, it’s in the right venue – inside the courts. Now, whatever decision Pastor Quiboloy makes is his personal decision and I’m sure he thought about it,” said Vice President Sara Duterte, Republic of the Philippines.
It can be remembered that Pastor Apollo’s legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon said that the good pastor cannot yet be considered a fugitive because there are serious doubts on the validity of the arrest warrant issued against him and the finding of probably cause is being questioned before the DOJ.
“Not yet a fugitive. He questioned the finding of probable cause before the DOJ, hence, there is still serious doubt as to the validity of the warrant issued against him. He cannot yet be fully classified as a fugitive,” according to Atty. Israelito Torreon, Legal Counsel of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
“Senator Risa Hontiveros did not show such interest. With due respect to her, before, we didn’t even hear her name following up on this case against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy that was all of a sudden revived. That’s why, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the refiling of this case has something to do with politics. That is what we suspect and I also think that there is basis for it,” he added.
