All of a sudden, Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has a medical condition and is already old thus consideration must be given to him according to his legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, as they submitted a petition to put him under house arrest or be transferred to the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Another concern of Quiboloy’s camp is his security since he, according to them, has been very vocal against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) thus putting him under the jurisdiction and custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will only endanger his life.
While the AFP immediately denied the request of the so-called son of god, it’s really ironic that Quiboloy is worried of his safety under the custody of the police when his strongest patrons, vice president Sara Duterte and former president Rodrigo Duterte have used the PNP and its personnel in their war against illegal drugs that resulted in the killing of more than five thousand people and a continuing criminal case against them at the International Criminal Court (ICC) including the former PNP Chief and now senator Bato de la Rosa.
The son of god, who can stop typhoons and cause earthquakes at least, has suddenly become sick and old after weeks of hiding and eventually yielding to the persistent arms of the law. When he used to play basketball and score massive three points and even claim that he owns the soul of everybody, he has become frail immediately after his arrest. We would not be surprised anymore if during his next public appearance going to a court or Senate hearing, he will be seated on a wheelchair.
This is the problem with our political culture. Those who have money and power can avail of all the legal excuses in cases of them being caught of doing illegal activities. They can suddenly get sick and be allowed of compassion given their old age. Imagine a religious leader who owns a private jet and mansions in the country and private villas in the United States and other parts of the world who used to flaunt his influence arrested and handcuffed falling suddenly ill and poor? It’s not far-fetched that Quiboloy will be granted hospital arrest because of hypertension while many Filipinos in conflict with the law and inside the country’s jail facilities are dying of kidney problems, cancer and many other diseases yet do not have the means to petition themselves for treatment.
Quiboloy is facing multiple criminal cases. In the Philippines, he is facing human trafficking, labor laws violations and sex-related offenses. In the US, he is facing conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling. Now he wants us to believe that he is sick and old.
