By Brian Jules Campued
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy for continuing to avoid facing charges filed against him before the courts.
Quiboloy is facing qualified human trafficking case in Pasig City and sexual and child abuse charges in Davao City.
However, the embattled pastor remains at large.
“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 in a statement.
“This is appalling. This should not be allowed to pass, but only challenge government more to exhaust all means to restrict his movements,” the senator added.
According to Department of Justice (DOJ) Asec. and Spokesperson Mico Clavano, the DOJ has received information indicating that Quiboloy is still in the Philippines.
“We do have information that he is still within the country unless there are new developments from the police ‘no. But, as far as our information is concerned at the DOJ, he is currently still in the country,” Clavano said in a Palace press briefing on April 25.
The DOJ official also said that the prosecutors have already requested the court for a hold departure order against Quiboloy.
Currently, Quiboloy is the subject of an immigration lookout bulletin order.
DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza previously stated that when a passport is cancelled, it would be a “red flag for any application in all DFA consular offices within and outside the Philippines,” Hontiveros noted.
The cancelled passport, Daza said, is also reported to both the BI and the Interpol office in the country to include the passport in the alert system of international border controls.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is closely working with the National Bureau of Investigation as manhunt operations against Quiboloy and his co-accused have been expanded.
“Sa ngayon po ay hindi na lamang po limited sa Davao Region iyong ginagawa po nating paghahanap. Even dito sa Metro Manila and other areas are also [covered]. Informations are also being validated to confirm the possible location of not only Pastor Quiboloy, but with other accused as well,” PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press conference in Quezon City on Saturday.
On April 16, the PNP revoked Quiboloy’s firearms registration and license to own and possess firearms and gave the pastor’s camp six months to surrender his firearms.
“The world is closing in on him. He is accused of crimes that transcend continents and nationalities. Tiwala ako na maraming bansa ang handang makipagtulungan sa Pilipinas para papanagutin siya,” Hontiveros said. – av
