Quiboloy can take care of himself: Palace

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte is certain that Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) head, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, can take care of himself, Malacañang said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after the KOJC head was reportedly detained at the airport in Honolulu, Hawaii over the USD350,000 cash found in the private plane he boarded.

The Bureau of Immigration earlier said Quiboloy arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around Thursday without being detained nor deported.

“Alam naman niya (Duterte) e talagang kayang alagaain ang sarili niya ni Pastor Quiboloy (He knows that Pastor Quiboloy can take care of himself),” Roque said in a statement sent to media.

Roque did not make a comment about Quiboloy’s brief detention noting that the pastor is a private individual and was positive that he could defend himself.

“Wala naman kaming komento diyan dahil si pastor naman po ay isang pribadong indibidwal at dimuano e dahil meron siyang USD 350,000 e kaya naman niyang depensahan ang kanyang sarili pero siyempre po lahat ng Filipino na nagkakaroon ng problema sa kahit saan sa

daigdig na ito e binibigyan din natin ng kahit anong proteksyon sinisigurado ang kanilang karapatan ay nasisiguro at lahat naman po yan ay binibigyan ng tulong ng ating consular officials (We have no comment on that issue because pastor is a private individual who happens to have USD 350,000 and he can defend himself. But of course, all Filipinos who have problems in any part of the world are given protection and we will assure that their rights are protected. They will also be provided assistance by our consular officials),” Roque said.

In an online report of HawaiiNewsNow, Quiboloy was with a certain Felina Salinas, 47, of Makakilo City, Hawaii.

She was the only US citizen on the plane, and was arrested after claiming the cash was hers.

Salinas reportedly declared that the USD40,000 cash was hers but not the entire amount of USD350,000.

Salinas, who was charged with attempted bulk cash smuggling, is reportedly the business manager at Waipahu church location and a loyal supporter of Quiboloy.

Salinas was also released after posting USD25,000 bond. The private plane remains in Honolulu, the report said.

Quiboloy is a supporter and long time friend of President Duterte. (PNA)