MANILA — President Marcos, after maintaining silence for a period, responded yesterday by laughing off Apollo Quiboloy’s accusation that he is collaborating with the US to plot an assassination against him. Marcos suggested that Quiboloy should participate in congressional hearings instead.
Quiboloy, who is currently listed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most wanted list for allegedly orchestrating a sex trafficking operation, claimed last week that he was in hiding due to a perceived threat to his life. He asserted that President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos were cooperating with the US government to hand him over.
In a 36-minute audio recording posted on YouTube on February 21st, Quiboloy alleged that the US was planning to deploy operatives to his compound to abduct and assassinate him. He stated that he was under FBI and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) surveillance, suggesting that they could apprehend him without going through an extradition process.
Furthermore, Quiboloy called for the resignation of Marcos and his cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, stating that his opposition to them would persist until they were out of power.
When questioned by the media yesterday about Quiboloy’s accusations, President Marcos responded with laughter, pointing out that the charges against the pastor in the US were initiated before his presidency began.
“I guess he’s very worried,” the President told reporters in Villamor Air Base before leaving for Australia. “Nobody wants to assassinate him. Why would he be assassinated? Why would anyone (want to cause his death)? I don’t understand what he is saying,” he said.
“Perhaps he is afraid because of what is happening. But… again, the best way to defuse that situation for him is to testify before the committees in the House and in the Senate,” he added.
Marcos said Quiboloy might face a bigger problem if he refuses to attend the congressional hearings.
“Well, I would just advise him that if he has something to say… he has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story,” the President said.
“If he doesn’t show up, he might be cited for contempt and it would snowball. That would lead to bigger trouble. If he attends and answers all questions, then it will be done,” the Chief Executive added.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality is currently investigating allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse associated with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Quiboloy chose to abstain from attending the hearings held by the committee, prompting the Senate to issue a subpoena against him.
Meanwhile, a separate inquiry is underway at the House of Representatives regarding purported violations of the Sonshine Media Network International franchise. Quiboloy holds the honorary chairman position at SMNI, as confirmed by the network’s lawyer, Mark Tolentino.
The pastor, who identifies himself as the “appointed son of God,” has challenged lawmakers conducting the investigation to press charges against him in court, alleging that they are involving him in politics.
‘Get arrested’?
Former President Rodrigo Duterte advised Quiboloy to “submit to arrest,” as his former spiritual adviser is being compelled by the Senate to address the alleged sexual abuse accusations against him.
“This is a free country, if you do not want to go there, get arrested. I give him the free choice,” Duterte said on Tuesday night.?“It is up to pastor if he wants to or not. It could lead to contempt if it is an unreasonable refusal,” Duterte said. The former president, however, also said that the Senate cannot compel an ordinary citizen to report to them.?At the same press conference, Duterte debunked allegations that he received a bag of guns from Quiboloy.
