PCG exec hits pols supporting Quiboloy but mum on China --- Ghio Ong - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — With their silence on China’s harassment at sea and their “paradoxical” reaction to police operation to arrest alleged sex offender and human trafficker Apollo Quiboloy, some Philippine politicians have only exposed their questionable loyalty to the country. This was according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela, who posted on X on Independence Day that many politicians were quick to denounce the police operation to arrest Quiboloy, but “never had any comments when the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard were subjected to inhumane and barbaric harassment while carrying out a medical evacuation in Ayungin Shoal.” He did not name the politicians. “When the mansion of the fugitive Pastor Quiboloy was surrounded by the Philippine National Police, they had lengthy statements and even criticized the police’s efforts to arrest him,” he added. Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea, said the politicians’ “paradoxical” reaction “makes one question where their loyalty and interests really lie.” Early this week, heavily armed police commandos raided compounds in Davao owned by the religious sect leader but failed to find him. Former president Rodrigo Duterte called the raid an “overkill.” His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte for her part appealed for an “orderly and acceptable” enforcement of the law on Quiboloy, a known supporter of the Dutertes. The Vice President was silent late last month when the Chinese coast guard blasted with powerful water cannons Filipino vessels transporting food and provisions to BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as a Philippine military outpost in Ayungin Shoal. But President Marcos came to her defense saying it’s not her job as vice president and seceretary of the Department of Education to comment on the issue. Her father is also accused of making a “secret agreement” with China on managing the Sierra Madre issue. Militant groups led by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) are set to hold a rally today outside the Chinese embassy on Gil Puyat Ave. to protest China’s reported enforcement beginning tomorrow of a “maritime rule” to detain “trespassers” in what it considers its territorial seas. “We assert our call to demilitarize the West Philippine Sea that would dismantle military facilities and expel all foreign warships with no exception,” Joey Marabe, coordinator of Pamalakaya’s Zambales chapter, said. “Fishers and the Filipino people will defy the order. It is China which should be held accountable as trespassers,” Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said in a statement. – Emmanuel Tupas, Evelyn Macairan

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