Bato Dela Rosa Offers Personal Protection to Quiboloy for Senate Appearance
BATO DELA ROSA – Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he will protect Pastor Apollo Quiboloy if he goes to the Senate.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has offered to personally safeguard controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy should he choose to attend the Senate to address accusations against him. Dela Rosa stated during a press briefing that if Quiboloy is concerned for his safety, he is willing to act as his security while at the Senate hearing, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Quiboloy’s presence without insulting the institution.
Based on a report from Inquirer, this assurance came after the Senate issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for repeatedly ignoring summons related to allegations of human trafficking and s*xual abuses, including child r*pe.
“If he’s afraid, since he said his life is under threat, I can be his security. If he is thinking about his safety, I can secure him while he’s in the Senate. I can offer myself as his security if he comes here. [I’ll do it] just for him to be physically present in the hearing,” Bato said in a press briefing.
“It would be an insult to the institution if we won’t be able to secure him. So being a senator and a member of this Senate, I’m willing to provide him security,” he added.
According to the report, Senator Robinhood Padilla, another supporter of Quiboloy, suggested that Quiboloy’s camp could seek legal recourse through the Supreme Court to protect his rights within Senate procedures. Quiboloy faces potential arrest at any time, with a detention room already prepared, according to Senate sergeant-at-arms retired Army Gen. Roberto Ancan.
While Quiboloy would typically be released after testifying before the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, he is also the subject of an arrest order from the House of Representatives for failing to attend an inquiry into alleged franchise violations. Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced non-bailable charges against Quiboloy for human trafficking in Pasig City, along with sexual abuse and child abuse charges in Davao City.
Quiboloy’s legal team, led by Ferdinand Topacio, has placed their trust in the judiciary to address these cases, expressing confidence in his innocence and the eventual clearing of his name.