Dutertes protest “harsh treatment” of Quiboloy

Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, condemned the recent raid against the property of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, a best friend of the Dutertes. Mr. Duterte called it “overkill” while his daughter asked authorities to be mindful of the rights of the civilians, especially students inside the compound in Davao. Last Monday, over a hundred policemen stormed the compound to serve the warrant of arrest against the controversial pastor, wanted for a string of criminal cases, including sexual and human trafficking.

Quiboloy has pending cases against him in several courts, including Pasig City. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) wants him for several criminal indictments. If arrested, Quiboloy goes straight to jail.

This is not the first time the Dutertes have defended Quiboloy, their long-time supporter in Davao. When news first came about Quiboloy’s US cases, President Duterte tried to downplay them, even describing those cases as political ploys by the United States against his administration.

Quiboloy’s woes began when the Senate led by Senator Riza Hontiveros conducted hearings featuring several of the pastor’s former members. Several women, including an Ukrainian, alleged that Quiboloy used them as sex slaves despite their protestations. Others allege that the pastor used them to solicit funds for the organization, charges that the debonaire pastor denied repeatedly.

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