Rights groups ask Filipinos to reject ex-Pres Duterte and detained preacher in upcoming elections
Human rights activists called on Filipino voters to reject former President Rodrigo Duterte and detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in next year’s mid-term elections, citing the criminal allegations they’re facing
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Human rights activists called on Filipino voters Wednesday to reject former President Rodrigo Duterte and detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in next year’s mid-term elections, citing the criminal allegations they’re facing.
Duterte registered Monday to run for mayor in the southern city of Davao. While in office, he oversaw anti-drugs crackdowns that left thousands of mostly poor suspect dead in killings, which the International Criminal Court has been investigating as a possible crime against humanity.
Quiboloy, the former president’s spiritual adviser and close political ally, has been detained on allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking in the Philippines, and is on the FBI’s most-wanted list for similar charges in the United States. He filed candidacy papers for a seat in the 24-member Senate through a lawyer Tuesday.
Duterte and Quiboloy, who have backed each other for years, have separately denied any wrongdoing.
