DOJ placing Quiboloy complainant in witness protection

The Department of Justice is now processing the inclusion in the Witness Protection Program of the complainant in the child abuse case Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is facing before the Davao Regional Trial Court.

Justice Undersecretary Nicolas Felix Ty said the complainant felt that there were threats to her life. 

“Kailangan talaga dahil [siya ang] key witness dito sa kasong ito at sa kanya nanggaling na meron siyang mga, na may nararamdaman siyang siyang mga threat sa kanyang buhay. Kaya karapat dapat lang malagay siya sa WPP,” Ty said in a press briefing.

(It’s important because she is the key witness and she said that she felt that there were threats against her life. That’s why she needs to be under WPP.)

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act before a Davao court.

Prosecutors said the bail was set at P180,000 for sexual assault and P80,000 for maltreatment.

He is also facing a non-bailable Qualified Human Trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended before a Pasig court. 

Ty said the DOJ was also seeking the transfer the cases in Davao City to Pasig City.

“Kami naman nag sulat na kami sa court administrator na ipalipat ang venue ng kaso na i-finile sa Davao. Ito ‘yung kaso for child abuse at maltreatment at ipapalipat namin sa Pasig din ‘yung kaso na ito,” Ty said.

(We’ve written to the court administrator to transfer the venue of the case that was filed in Davao. This is the case for child abuse and maltreatment and we’ll ask for its transfer to Pasig.)

“So abangan na lang natin. But tingin ko naman sa mga ganoong requests ay kadalasan naman pinag bibigyan tayo ng court at court administrator dyan,” he added.

(Let’s wait for it. But I think that the court and the court administrator will usually allow these kinds of requests.)

Both the Davao and Pasig courts have issued arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

Quiboloy for his part, has said that he was ready to face his cases provided that the Marcos administration give him written assurance that the United States would not interfere in his legal battle in the Philippines.

In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that the proceedings against him would be fair. He also saw Quiboloy setting conditions for his surrender as "a bit of tail wagging the dog."

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said Quiboloy was in no position to impose any condition on his surrender and urged the latter to face the charges filed against him. —NB, GMA Integrated News