Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced yesterday that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are now in charge of the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

On the suggestion of Senator Risa Hontiveros, the head of the Senate committee on women and children, Zubiri signed the arrest warrant for Quiboloy.

According to the Senate President, the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSSA) arranged for Quiboloy’s arrest through appropriate coordination with law enforcement.

“We have issued the warrant of arrest, we’ve conducted, I believe, OSSA chief Gen. Roberto Ancan (has) conducted coordinations with the PNP and the NBI,” Zubiri said.

The Senate president signed an arrest warrant for Quiboloy in order to force the controversial pastor to appear before a Senate investigation into claims of abuse against former members.

“(Quiboloy’s arrest) is now in the hands of the PNP and the NBI; it is no longer in our hands. The OSSA can’t do it, I explained it to Sen. Risa Hontiveros. That’s not the OSSA’s job,” the Senate president said.

“But we don’t have hunter teams, we don’t have that in the Senate,” Zubiri clarified, adding that OSSA’s duties also include serving warrants and subpoenas.

Quiboloy has refuted the accusations. He and his associates from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ are facing child abuse and sexual abuse charges in Davao City court.

Senator Hontiveros urges DFA to revoke Quiboloy’s passport

Senator Risa Hontiveros ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to withdraw Quiboloy’s passport, criticizing the controversial pastor for failing to cooperate with the Senate and judicial investigations into his alleged criminal charges.

“Imbes na magpakita sa Senado o sa mga korte, panay record ng audio message na tila nang-iinsulto pa sa kakayanan ng gubyerno na matuntun siya,” Hontiveros said.

As head of the Senate women’s committee, Hontiveros oversaw the investigation into Quiboloy and the alleged violations by his church.

The chamber was then advised to issue an arrest warrant for the KJC leader by her committee.

“This is appalling. This should not be allowed to pass, but only challenge government more to exhaust all means to restrict his movements,” she added. 

Hontiveros referred to a prior statement provided by DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza, stating that the revocation of a passport will be considered a “red flag for any application in all DFA consular offices within and outside the Philippines.”

The Bureau of Immigration and the Interpol office in the Philippines will thereafter be notified of the DFA’s cancellation of a passport.

After receiving notification from Interpol Philippines, Interpol Headquarters will issue an alert system regarding the revoked passport at international border controls.

“The world is closing in on him. He is accused of crimes that transcend continents and nationalities,” Hontiveros said. 

“Kung ang puganteng Kongresista ay nahuli, sana naman maaresto din ang puganteng religious leader. Maliit ang mundo. Hindi niya matatakasan ang batas habambuhay,” Hontiveros added, referring to Former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. whose passport has also been cancelled by the DFA.

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