But why?

Why can’t we ask the Indonesian police to track Pastor Apollo Quiboloy? It’s the sarcastic question that has been ringing inside my mind after they were able to identify the whereabouts and arrest former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong in a very short period of time and without much fanfare. They silently worked their way to arrest Alice and her companions while Boyeng Remulla of the Philippine justice department was telling the press about how they coordinated with the Indonesian authorities.

Of course, everybody was able to sigh in relief as Indonesia delivered the fugitives and made them face the Philippine authorities. Interestingly, instead of looking worried, Alice Guo was all calm in facing the cameras and was even smiling as if nothing has happened. When all those who were arrested before wore head covers while being brought to their detention facilities, Guo was happily posing for the cameras.

Perhaps, it’s inherent in her given the allegations that she was a Chinese spy who was able to penetrate the Philippine government with her charismatic personality and get an elected position. She was posing naturally to show the world that she was at ease and she is innocent. But maybe, she is also confident that she will eventually get off the hook as she can afford to pay for her freedom. Remember, she is simply a farm girl who has never owned and driven a car but has a chopper to ferry her from one destination to another. Her sudden exit from the country in the middle of an investigation and despite the warrants issued against her would show the power of her resources.

Now going back to the quick reaction of the Indonesian authorities, we are somehow left asking how they made the arrest in a very short period of time. Along the Guo case is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder pastor Apollo Quiboloy case. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is facing a very difficult challenge in arresting the fugitive pastor. What’s the difference in their methods with that of their Indonesian counterparts?

Perhaps the matter is about intelligence information which is founded solely on trust. Prior to the arrest of Shirley Guo and Cassandra Li Ong, the Indonesian authorities were tipped off of the presence of “suspicious foreigners” in their island near Singapore. Who tipped them off? The local residents precisely. Why are the people in the Philippines hesitant in calling the police? This is an open call to the Filipino authorities. Nobody trusts you or people are afraid to trust you. But why?