EDITORIAL - Come out of hiding

Unable to find Apollo Quiboloy, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has dangled a P10-million reward for information leading to the arrest of the pastor, along with P1 million for each of his five co-accused who like him are evading arrest. Quiboloy’s counsel has questioned the source of the reward money, which the DILG has said was contributed by the private sector, and the motive for putting up the bounty.

President Marcos brushed aside the beef about the source of the reward money, saying any help in finding Quiboloy is welcome. “He is a fugitive. He is hiding from the law,” Marcos told reporters yesterday. “I question his motives.”

Quiboloy’s camp is also quibbling with the “fugitive” tag, pointing out that they are still seeking reconsideration of the arrest orders. Those are standing warrants, however, which law enforcement authorities have been unable to serve, even after swooping down simultaneously on four locations in Davao where the pastor was suspected to be hiding. Quiboloy knows he is wanted by Philippine authorities, but he cannot be found, except by friends such as former president Rodrigo Duterte. Isn’t that a proper description for a fugitive?

The sooner these cases are settled, the better to show the world the innocence being claimed by Quiboloy. As of yesterday, however, the word from the pastor’s camp was that he was in China… maybe. Considering the porousness of the Philippines’ borders, especially in the south, this scenario is not farfetched. If this is true, the two countries have an extradition treaty that the Philippines can invoke. Amid bilateral tensions, however, it’s uncertain if Beijing will agree to extradite a staunch supporter of Duterte, a known admirer of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and many things Chinese.

Duterte, the designated administrator of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ estate in Quiboloy’s absence, has said he knows where the pastor is, but would keep it a secret. Police said a case for obstruction of justice is being considered against Duterte.

In March and April, regional trial courts in Davao City and Pasig issued arrest warrants for Quiboloy and five KOJC members, for child sexual abuse and human trafficking. The trafficking case in the Pasig RTC does not allow bail. The Senate has also ordered Quiboloy’s arrest following his continued refusal to face the chamber.

Amid all these developments, President Marcos gave Quiboloy the proper advice, to surface and face the charges squarely: “Basta magpakita siya.”