Palace skirts query if Duterte knows whereabouts of Quiboloy

Malacañang on Tuesday skirted the question on whether President Rodrigo Duterte knows the whereabouts of his friend and spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who is facing charges in the United States and included in the wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"It goes through diplomatic channels. Any communication should go through diplomatic channels and the Justice department has spoken about the issue," acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles responded in a Palace briefing when asked if the President knows Quiboloy's whereabouts and if he will report the latter's location to the US Embassy in Manila as part of his legal obligation.

Quiboloy, founder of Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ, is "wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders," the FBI said.

The FBI has urged people with information on Quiboloy's location to report to the nearest American embassy in their area.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the Department of Justice on Monday will issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Quiboloy, but only if a complainant requests them to do so but they have yet to receive any.

Quiboloy has denied committing these alleged crimes, saying such demolition job is part of his life as "Anointed Son of God."

His legal team also said that criminal charges were filed against Quiboloy to undermine President Duterte, and that there is even assassination plot against the church leader.

Nograles said that any assassination plot against anybody is a cause for concern and that authorities stand ready to prevent such crime.

"An assassination plot against any individual is a concern for the government, so they should get in touch with law enforcement agencies," he added.

Quiboloy earlier endorsed the tandem of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and presidential daughter Davao Mayor Sara Duterte for Eleksyon 2022.—AOL, GMA News