Davao court issues arrest warrant vs. Quiboloy

A Davao court has issued a warrant of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and five others over charges of child abuse.

In a 2-page order, the court said reasonable time has lapsed and it has not yet received a resolution on the motion for reconsideration filed by Quiboloy’s camp before the Department of Justice on the arrest warrant it issued in March.

“The court mindful of the equally situated rights of both the prosecution and defense, which may include among others, the speedy disposition and speedy trial of cases, either of which or both, said right imposes an imperative task that this court is indebted to fulfill,” the Court said.

“[A]s what was earlier determined upon judicious examination and perusal of information where it found probable cause, let the warrants of arrest already issued be implemented immediately,” it added.

The order was shared by Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.

GMA News Online has sought confirmation from the Department of Justice but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.

Prosecutors said the bail was set at P180,000 for sexual assault and P80,000 for maltreatment.

Charged with Quiboloy were Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemane under Section 10(a) of RA 7610.

They are also facing Qualified Human Trafficking charges under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended before a Pasig court.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros welcomed the order, saying Quiboloy’s days were "numbered."

“Pinapanawagan ko din kay Quiboloy na huwag nang mag-inarte. Ang dami na niyang ginawa para takbuhan ang obligasyon niya sa batas,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

(I am calling on Quiboloy to stop the drama. He has done too much for him to run away from his obligation before the law.)

“He should just cooperate and properly answer the accusations hurled against him. Kung walang kasalanan, hindi kailangang magtago (if he is innocent, there is no need to hide),” she added.

Hontiveros had earlier called for the immediate issuance of a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy, saying the latter's response to the Senate panel's show cause order was "nowhere near satisfactory."

Quiboloy is also included in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's wanted list "for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders."

Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader has denied the accusations against him.

In a separate statement, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT party-list lawmaker France Castro, as well as House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas, welcomed the issuance of arrest order against Quiboloy.

"We stand in solidarity with the victims and advocates seeking justice in this case. It is imperative that the legal process moves swiftly to ensure that those responsible for heinous crimes are held accountable and that justice is served," Castro said.

“We welcome the Davao Regional Trial Court's issuance of arrest warrant against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy for violating Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minor and maltreatment. The charges against Quiboloy are deeply troubling, as they involve allegations of sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment within his organization,” Brosas added.

Quiboloy’s arrest, Brosas noted, is a stark reminder of how individuals who hold power and influence often exploit and abuse the vulnerable.

“For far too long, Quiboloy managed to evade justice, shielded by his connections and the protection of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The fact that Quiboloy evaded justice for years raises serious questions about the network of enablers and powerful individuals who may have been directly involved in helping him conduct his illegal activities,” Brosas said.

“An investigation must be conducted not only into his crimes but also into his connections, as it is inconceivable that he could have avoided accountability for so long without active assistance from influential figures who are aiding and abetting him. No one, regardless of their stature or connections, should be above the law. We stand in solidarity with the victims of these abuses and commend their bravery in coming forward to seek justice,” she added.—VAL/RF, GMA Integrated News