Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Sunday, April 21 urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to expedite the move to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Hontiveros made the call as she acknowledged the possibility there is a “failure of intelligence” on the part of the PNP that is why the alleged religious leader still cannot be found and arrested by authorities.
The senator urged new PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil to secure the arrest of Quiboloy, who is now facing charges for his involvement in sexual abuses, human trafficking, and labor violations, among others.
“There are already three arrest warrants served against hi, one from a Davao City court, the other from a Pasig court, and that is for a non-bailable offense, and the Senate’s own arrest warrant,” Hontiveros pointed out in an interview on Radio DZBB.
“But until now he still can’t be secure. He still hasn’t been arrested, that’s why I call on our new PNP Chief Marbil for the PNP to step up,” she said.
“Because there must have been failure of intelligence, that’s why they can’t find the whereabouts of Quiboloy so he can be arrested.
At the same time, Hontiveros renewed her call for the PNP to cancel the firearms license of Quiboloy and his co-accused.
The senator made the call after videos and photos of Quiboloy and his private army became viral in social media.
“What are they still waiting for before they cance the licenses of all the firearms owned by Quiboloy? Because it’s very evident in social media, so what evidence does the PNP need?” the Senate women and children’s panel chief stressed.
“Quiboloy has a private army, they are armed, and they are posting on social media that they are prepared to die and prepared to use their weapons. They are ready to harass just to protect Quiboloy,” she said.
“That alone means he is a threat to the peace and order of this country,” the lawmaker reiterated.