A lawmaker on Thursday criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its inability to apprehend two high-profile fugitives, Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, despite arrest orders issued months ago.
During a budget hearing for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel highlighted the disparity in the PNP’s handling of arrest warrants for ordinary citizens versus those with significant influence.
“When it comes to big personalities, it seems the PNP finds it challenging to make arrests. However, when it comes to ordinary people, they are easily apprehended and even subjected to red-tagging, which continues to this day. The PNP needs to improve,” Manuel stated.
Quiboloy has been wanted since the Senate issued an arrest order nearly five months ago for contempt, and the Pasig Regional Trial Court ordered his arrest for qualified human trafficking charges four months ago. Meanwhile, Guo was cited in contempt by the Senate last month for failing to attend hearings related to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in her town.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos defended the PNP, asserting that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest both fugitives. “As far as Quiboloy and the others are concerned, we are doing our job. In fact, we have been sued because of our actions against the Kingdom of Jesus. We will answer these accusations, but we are committed to finding anyone,” Abalos told the committee.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil assured that investigations and surveillance are continuous, with coordination across various government agencies and intelligence units. “Our investigation and tracking are ongoing, not only by the PNP but also by the Bureau of Immigration and the National Security Agency,” Marbil said.
Additionally, the PNP and DILG denied any involvement in red-tagging, responding to allegations raised by Rep. Manuel based on a study by the Ateneo Human Rights Center. Both Abalos and Marbil committed to investigating these claims but emphasized that such actions are not in line with the Marcos administration’s policies.
Manuel called for defunding the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), citing its slow budget utilization and allegations of red-tagging, which he believes threaten citizens’ rights. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed no intention of abolishing the task force.