‘Let the wheels of justice roll’: Dela Rosa urges Quiboloy to face charges against him

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa urged beleaguered Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to surface and face the charges of child and sexual abuse against him.

“Wala naman tayong ibang maadvice kundi harapin niya kung kinahaharap niyang kaso at (We have no other advice to him but to face the cases against him and) let the wheels of justice roll,” he said in a radio interview over DWIZ on Saturday, April 6.

Law enforcers last Wednesday, April 3, served the arrest warrants issued by a Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Davao City against Quiboloy and his associates.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said they could not locate the pastor at three distinct sites: His resort on Samal Island, the school he oversees in Buhangin, and his lavish prayer mountain in Barangay Tamayong.

But the NBI nabbed Quiboloy’s church associate Cresente Canada, chairman of Barangay Tamayong. Two other accused, Pauline Canada and Sylvia Cemañes, surrendered to authorities.

Two others linked to Quiboloy, namely Ingrid Canada and Jackielyn Roy, surrendered a day after authorities nabbed one of the pastor’s associates.

Dela Rosa also said that former president Rodrigo Duterte would not do such a thing as coddle Quiboloy. Duterte considers Quiboloy his spiritual adviser.

“You cannot expect pagkakanlong coming from a former president and a lawyer at that at dating fiscal. Alam nya yan na violation of law yan kaya wag na gawan gawan ng storya kinakanlong ni Pangulong Duterte, alam ni Pangulong Duterte ang batas di yan mangyayari (President Duterte knows that it’s in violation of the law so let’s not make up stories that he will protect him, President Duterte knows the law, that will never happen),” he said.

Quiboloy, who refused to acknowledge the Senate panel that is investigating allegations of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and forced labor, has no choice now but to face the cases filed against him in court, reckoned Dela Rosa.

“If he has to listen to me, that is my advice. Harapin niya yan. Andyan iyan nakafile na kaso na yan, mas magandang harapin niya. Otherwise, kung ayaw nya harapin magtago siya sa pinakasecure at pinakasafe na lugar na di talaga siya makita. (He must face it. The case is already filed, it’s better that he faces it. If not, he must hide in the most secure and safest place where he won’t be found) You cannot evade the long arm of the law. Hahanapin at hahanapin ka talaga lalo na mayroon kang standing warrant of arrest (He will always be searched   for especially that he has a standing warrant of arrest),” he said.

Judge Dante Baguio of the Regiomal Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 in the Davao Region issued last month two arrest warrants for Quiboloy on separate cases of sexual abuse and child abuse. His associates were implicated in the child abuse case. — Dhel Nazario