DOJ urged to issue travel lookout order on Quiboloy

The Department of Justice has been urged to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order on Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy amid fresh allegations of exploitation and sexual abuse against the preacher.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros made the call during a press conference Tuesday as she presented video testimonies of individuals who were allegedly exploited and sexually abused by the self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God."

"I urge the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order, which they can do motu proprio, to prevent Quiboloy from leaving the country. He must not escape accountability. Our children's lives are at stake," Hontiveros said.

"Kung si Senior Agila [ng Socorro Bayanihan Services group], naaresto dahil sa tindi ng mga testimonya at ebidensya ng child abuse at human trafficking, naniniwala akong hindi malayong mangyari rin yan kay Quiboloy,” she added.

(If Senior Agila [of the Socorro Bayanihan Services group] was arrested over the magnitude of the testimonies and pieces of evidence of child abuse and human trafficking, I believe that this is also possible for Quiboloy.)

Senior Agila, whose real name is Jey Rence Quilario, is the leader of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. in Surigao del Norte. The group is facing allegations that it has sexually abused over 1,000 children and forced some of them into marriages.

The DOJ may issue an immigration lookout bulletin order to monitor a subject's itinerary of flight, travel, or whereabouts. While it is not sufficient prohibition for departure from the Philippines, the ILBO instructs airport and seaport authorities to inform the DOJ of a subject's attempts to leave the country.

Privilege speech

Hontiveros held a press conference on Tuesday to detail the accounts of alias Jackson and Arlene, who were both mentioned in her privilege speech on Monday night regarding Quiboloy.

She also showed a screenshot of a conversation, where supposed KOJC members appear to be given an instruction regarding their so-called "solicitation."

In the conversation, the individuals in the group chat were "encouraged" to use musical instruments in their solicitation, and were also warned about "penalties" for failing to comply.

"Ngayong taon lang po ang screenshot na ito. This is still happening. This is human trafficking," she said.

(This screenshot was taken only this year.)

"These are very real fears that they are living with, but I hope that through the filed resolution, and eventual investigation, they will be empowered to tell their truth and seek justice," the senator added.

Hontiveros also took a swipe at Quiboloy's supposed political clout.

"Maraming nagbubulungan diyan. Malakas daw si Quiboloy sa gobyerno't mga politiko. Kaya daw nila itong ipagsawalang bahala. Hindi ako naniniwala dyan," she said.

(There are some who say that Quiboloy wields strong influence in the government and with some politicians. They say these allegations can be ignored. But I don't believe that.)

"Mas tiwala ako na marami sa gobyerno, lalo na sa Senado, ang gustong mabunyag ang katotohanan at magbigay ng katarungan," she added.

(I trust that many people in the government, especially in the Senate, want to expose the truth and give justice to the victims.)

On Monday, Hontiveros filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the alleged case of large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse which she said were done "under the cover of a religious organization."

GMA News Online asked Quiboloy's legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, to comment on Hontiveros' statements but he has yet to respond as of posting time. — VDV, GMA Integrated News