The Philippine goverment must take prompt decisive actions on the latest sanctions imposed by the United States (US) Department of Treasury against controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy, the Gabriela Women’s Party said on Sunday, Dec. 11.
Quiboloy, who is also included in the US most wanted list, has been sanctioned over what US authorities called “serious human rights abuse”, including a “pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old”, based on Executive Order No. 13818 in line with the Magnitsky Act.
It was also reported that the US Treasury Department blocked all property and interests in property of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC) founder and leader that are in the US or in the possession or control of US persons.
“Such developments should compel the Marcos Jr. administration to conduct an exhaustive investigation on the Pastor Quiboloy’s offenses and financial transactions, and enable victims to come forward through a witness protection program,” Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said in a statement.
The lawmaker stated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) can’t just wait for the extradition request from the US.
“Kailangang may gawing hakbang ang local agencies para masawata ang posibleng pagpapatuloy ng sex trafficking at abuso sa kababaihan at bata na ginagawa ni Quiboloy. Hindi pwedeng wait-and-see lang ang tugon dito (Local agencies should take steps to stop the possible continuity of sex trafficking and abuse on women and girls being done by Quiboloy),” she added.
READ: Quiboloy’s lawyers say US sanctions lack due process
Brosas further said the National Security Council (NSC) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can initiate their separate investigations against Quiboloy, especially with the RA 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
She stressed the Philippine Army should also review and terminate its media partnership with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) signed last Oct. 24 following the latest sanctions against Quiboloy.
“We cannot let an indicted sex offender and fake news peddler broaden his mass media reach using taxpayer’s money,” she said.
SMNI is the media arm of Pastor Quiboloy.
Brosas, whose party belongs to the opposition Makabayan bloc, found it “ironic” that the government is “silent” in Quiboloy’s case, yet it is celebrating the 18-Days of Activism campaign.