MANILA, Philippines – Mahigit kalahati ng mga witness laban sa self-appointed son of God na lider ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) na si Apollo Quiboloy ang nasa witness protection program (WPP) ng DOJ.
“With regard to the victims of Pastor Apolo Quiboloy, more than half of the victims are already in the witness protection program and more will be considered under this program,” tugon ni Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Jil Bongalon, designated budget sponsor ng proposed P37.7 bilyong badyet ng DOJ para sa 2025 sa deliberasyon ng plenaryo sa tanong ni House Assistant Minority Leader at Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas.
Naghain na ang DOJ ng two counts ng child abuse at isang bilang ng qualified human trafficking laban kay Quiboloy.
Nahaharap din si Quiboloy at iba pang miyembro ng KOJC ng umano’y conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion at sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud at coercion; conspiracy; at bulk cash smuggling charges sa Estados Unidos.
Pinangalanan pa ang pastor na isa sa most wanted criminals ng US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sa deliberasyon, nagtanong si Brosas kung mas mainam bang malitis si Quiboloy sa US, upang hindi maimpluwensyahan ang pagdinig ng mga maimpluwensiyang tao na nagtatanggol kay Quiboloy.
“Because certain people are concerned if justice can be served here if there are powerful figures backing him right now. So it appears that attaining justice is more feasible in the US because he has also been indicted there [before charges were filed here]…that is the concern,” ani Brosas.
“[With charges also pending here], does this mean that he will have to face charges here first and held accountable in the US later? Would that be right?” dagdag pa niya.
Sumagot naman si Bongalon para sa DOJ, at nagsabing tutugon ang mga awtoridad ng Pilipinas sa extradition treaty sa oras na magpasa ang US government ng naturang mga request.
Kamakailan ay sinabi ni Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez na ang extradition ni Quiboloy ay “inevitable.”
“Definitely, being a party to this [extradition] treaty, we will comply with the extradition [request],” ani Bongalon. RNT/JGC
