Updated on February 23 // 12:57 AM
The Philippine National Police has not monitored any death threat against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who claimed so in an audio recording he released Wednesday.
“Right now, except for his (Quiboloy’s) pronouncement, the PNP has not received any information with respect to the threat against his life,” police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press conference on Thursday.
Fajardo said that if Quiboloy has “basis for his claim,” the PNP can provide him security upon request.
“Whether it is a government official or an ordinary citizen who receives a threat to his life, the PNP is always ready to provide appropriate security if there is a request for one,” the PNP official said.
However, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have issued subpoenas against the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, who must attend one on March 12 or face arrest.
Quiboloy went into hiding after claiming that the US government, allegedly with help from Philippine government officials, was plotting to “eliminate” him through rendition in connection with the cases he is facing in the US.
In a 37-minute audio recording uploaded in the YouTube channel of his TV network, Quiboloy on Wednesday accused the US Federal Bureau of Investigation of raising a $2 million bounty for his arrest and two associates in the US wanted for alleged sex trafficking and other cases.
The FBI, who has placed Quiboloy in its most wanted list, denied raising the bounty.
The US Embassy in the Philippines, on the other hand, expressed confidence that Quiboloy will “face justice for his heinous crimes.”
The 73-year-old religious leader had been summoned to appear in hearings being conducted by both the Senate and House over the same sexual abuse allegations.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who heads the Senate committee investigating the allegations against Quiboloy, said the religious leader should first appear before the Senate before he “attempts to ask for this and that” arrangements.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also said Quiboloy should respect the subpoena issued by the Senate after the pastor snubbed previous invitations.
“It’s important that he respects the process. In past cases, if one goes into hiding, you’re automatically guilty. Flight means guilt,” he said.
“What’s important, not just for Pastor Quiboloy, is for him to come and explain his side and defend himself against these accusations,” Gatchalian added.