VICE President Sara Duterte expressed her personal belief that embattled Pastor Apolo Quiboloy is no longer in Davao City. She noted that the lengthy grandstanding during the Senate committee hearing provided ample time for Quiboloy to leave the city.
"Sa tingin ko wala na si Pastor Quiboloy sa Davao City dahil mahaba yung panahon na pwede siyang umalis na sa Davao City (In my opinion, Pastor Quiboloy is no longer in Davao City because there was plenty of time for him to leave)," Duterte said in a media interview on Sunday afternoon, September 1, 2024, at the Roxas Avenue.
She also said that Quiboloy has had ample time to consider leaving the country, adding that the administration should seriously contemplate this.
To recall, police personnel stormed the 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao City at dawn on Saturday, August 24, 2024, to serve an arrest warrant on its leader, Quiboloy.
Duterte pointed out that the operation affected many sectors, including businesses in the surrounding area and traffic outside the premises.
She emphasized that the operation should have been executed swiftly and efficiently. She questioned why, after nine days, the warrant of arrest had still not been served, noting that the large area and the number of police personnel involved should not be used as excuses.
When asked about Quiboloy's whereabouts, Duterte jokingly replied that he might be in heaven.
“Naapetuhan ang imahe ng Davao City at naapektuhan ang negosyo ng mga tao, in fact nung unang araw na apektuhan din ang mga flights to and from Davao City at hindi natin gusto yun dahil ang gusto natin ay mapayapang pamumuhay para sa mga Dabawenyo (The image of Davao City has been tarnished, and local businesses have been affected. In fact, on the first day, even flights to and from Davao City were disrupted. We don't want that; what we want is a peaceful life for Dabawenyos),” she said.
When asked about Quiboloy's whereabouts, Duterte jokingly replied that he might be in heaven.
She also said her intention to attend the 39th anniversary of KOJC, where she plans to deliver a message.
Duterte clarified that her attendance is not political but rather a duty as a Dabawenya and as the Vice President of the Philippines to offer comfort to the KOJC members during this challenging time. RGP