PNP probes Duterte’s statement about Quiboloy’s whereabouts

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will look into a remark made by former president Rodrigo Duterte that he knows where the wanted pastor Apollo Quiboloy is hiding.

Duterte told journalists in Tacloban that he has information on the whereabouts of Quiboloy, but would not disclose it.

Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ ministry, and five of his followers are being hunted by authorities on charges of sexual and child abuse as well as human trafficking.

PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said they have to look into the context of Duterte’s statement.

“Did he say this to tease people he was talking to, or was it just a joke?” Fajardo asked during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

She said the PNP legal department would determine if Duterte’s statement would warrant the filing of a complaint against him for obstruction of justice, or if the statement had been taken out of context.

“We need to obtain the entire context of the conversation, because a person who knows the whereabouts of a wanted man (but keeps it secret) is liable for obstruction of justice,” Fajardo said.