The Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Nicholas Felx Ty, backed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Benhur Abalos over the Php10 million bounty for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s arrest.
During the hearing on Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday, officials were questioned on the legality of the monetary award for whoever can give information on the pastor’s whereabouts. Undersecretary Ty said that posting a reward is the law enforcement agencies’ way to quicken the search for Quiboloy so that procedures can begin. Moreover, he mentioned asking the Committee for their opinion regarding the matter. They confirmed the said act is legal, Ty stated.
“Bakit ito legal? Unang-una kasama ito sa trabaho namin sa Justice sector. Dapat namin ipatupad ang mga criminal laws natin, at hindi ito mapapatupad kung ang mga akusado ay hindi matatagpuan,” he stressed.
(Why is it legal? Firstly, it's part of our job in the Justice sector. We are responsible for enforcing our criminal laws; however, it cannot be executed if the accused continue to remain in hiding)
“Bukod doon, malinaw naman sa ating sistema na hindi bawal ang pabuya para mahanap ang isang akusado at madala sa husgado,” he added.
(Aside from that, our system clearly states that offering rewards to find the accused and present them before the court is not prohibited)
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Benhur Abalos said that he did not solicit for the Php10 million reward, and insisted that he did not receive money from the bounty. He added that he is only doing his responsibility to uphold the law.
Abalos suggested that Quiboloy surrender and face his criminal charges, to prove his innocence before the court of law.
Members from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ earlier questioned the Php10 million reward, including the law enforcement’s brutal raid at the pastor’s property.
