The troubles of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy have compounded anew, with the Senate issuing an arrest order against him and the Department of Justice (DOJ) filing cases of sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, issued the order to arrest Quiboloy and detain him at the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also signed the order which stated, “The Sergeant-at-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this order and make a return hereof within 24 hours from its enforcement.”

Earlier, Hontiveros criticized Quiboloy for allegedly setting “17 conditions” for him to attend the Senate probe. Top among these 17 conditions of Quiboloy is the deliberation by the senate plenary, and not just by the committee, of the accusations against him.

Hontiveros declared, “This level of mockery of a Constitutional exercise of duty by a Committee of the Philippine Senate is unprecedented and disturbing, and further confirms Quiboloy’s undue refusal to appear before the Committee, pursuant to Section 18 of the Senate Rules.”

“Quiboloy has no right to trample on the dignity of the Senate and disrespect the institution. I would like to thank the witnesses for bravely coming out in this fight,” Hontiveros underscored.

She added that the Senate’s arrest order against Quiboloy “is timely this Women’s Month.”

Meanwhile, criminal charges were filed before trial courts in Davao City and Pasig against Quiboloy for the alleged sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking of a 17-year-old girl in 2011.

The DOJ noted that complaints for violations of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, were filed against Quiboloy before the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

A complaint for qualified human trafficking was also filed against Quiboloy before a Pasig City court. The charge, according to the DOJ, is non-bailable.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the cases also serve as “a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law.”

Earlier, the DOJ announced that it would move for the transfer of the case in Davao City to any RTC branch in Manila.

According to Remulla, the filing of charges effectively prevents Quiboloy from getting extradited to another country, particularly the United States, where he faces multiple charges of sex abuse and labor trafficking.

📷: Philippine News Agency