‘VIP treatment’ for Quiboloy hit

MANILA, Philippines — A human rights group has slammed what it called “VIP treatment” given to alleged sex offender and senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy following his recorded campaign message aired at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) proclamation rally on Feb. 11.

Quiboloy, who is facing charges of human trafficking and child abuse, was permitted to record the video after securing a court approval.

The Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) said the move was a “clear display of double standards in the treatment of detainees.”

“Why was Quiboloy allowed to record a campaign video while others are subjected to strict jail rules?” SELDA vice chairman Danilo dela Fuente said in a statement.

Dela Fuente also criticized “the strict rules for poor detainees and political prisoners, and special treatment for moneyed, powerful and influential people such as Quiboloy.”

In 2015, he said the visitation rights of political prisoners at the Metro Manila District Jail 4 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City were revoked after they wrote to Pope Francis about poor jail conditions.

Dela Fuente said high-profile detainees, including Quiboloy and convicted former general Jovito Palparan, were allowed media interviews while in detention.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology spokesman Supt. Jayrex Bustinera clarified that the video was recorded legally, based on a court order.

“Yes, the BJMP prohibits unauthorized recording and use of cameras in jails. But the recording of a video message by Quiboloy was allowed by the court. The BJMP is obliged to comply with this order,” Bustinera said.

He said Quiboloy’s video was recorded while he was confined at the Pasig City General Hospital, not inside his detention facility.

The video was played during the PDP-Laban rally at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Quiboloy was confined in the hospital on Jan. 23 due to community-acquired pneumonia and hypertension.

He returned to the Pasig City Jail on Feb. 15.

Quiboloy’s legal counsel, Israelito Torreon, defended the court’s decision, saying his client retains his civil and political rights as a candidate.