PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured Kingdom of Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves of fair proceedings and compassion in treating their respective cases.
The President has also rejected the setting of conditions for Quiboloy’s surrender.
“It seems to me a little bit tail wagging the dog, ang tawag na siyang mabibigay ng kondisyon sa gobyerno dun sa kaso niya, akusado siya sa warrant of arrest. So, I mean, we will, we will exercise all the compassion,” President Marcos said in referring to Quiboloy.
President Marcos made the remarks when asked by reporters on the sidelines of the ceremonial energization of the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-KV backbone project in Bacolod City about the request for guarantee by Quiboloy regarding possible US government meddling on his case.
“To Pastor Quiboloy, we’ve known him for a very long time. Ang maipapangako ko all the proceedings will be fair. Now, as to the involvement of the United States malayo pa ‘yan eh. That’s going to take years, yet. So, I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about, quite frankly,” he added.
The President also made similar remark in the case of Teves.
“The same thing. Wala namang kami, sa lahat ng mga sinasabi ni Teves na takot siya sa buhay niya. Wala kaming report na ganun. Walang nagbabanta sa buhay niya,” Marcos said, referring to Teves.
After a Davao City court issued a warrant for his arrest, Quiboloy is asking for “written guarantees” from authorities before surrendering. The embattled evangelist fears that the Americans will interfere in his case in the Philippines.
On the other hand, Philippine authorities are working for the repatriation of Teves after he was arrested in Dili, East Timor last month.
The congressman is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in March 2023, and three others in 2019.