Hontiveros: Quiboloy to face Senate inquiry soon

Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy will soon face the Senate for its continuation of the investigation into the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse involving the KOJC, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday.

In a video message, Hontiveros said the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality is finalizing the schedule for the legislative inquiry that Quiboloy has yet to attend.

“Itatakda namin hangga't maaga ang susunod na pagdinig. Finally, haharap na si Apollo Quiboloy,” Hontiveros said.

(We will set the date for the next hearing as soon as possible. Finally, Apollo Quiboloy will face us.)

“Once na matakda namin yung petsa ng susunod na pagdinig kay Apollo Quiboloy sa Senado, susulat na ako sa nauukol na korte para masiguro na andito na sya bilang pagsunod din sa standing warrant ng Senado para sa kaniya,” the legislator added.

(Once we finalize the date for the next hearing with Apollo Quiboloy at the Senate, I will write to the relevant court to ensure that he is present, in compliance with the Senate's standing warrant for him.)

Hontiveros said the Senate panel has “numerous questions” for Quiboloy, including the alleged abuses in the KOJC.

“Marami kaming itatanong kay Quiboloy. Kung bakit talaga niya ginawa ang lahat nang yun at paano sinet up na yung mga tao na nirecruit niya bilang mga nananmpalataya sa kaniya at sa kingdom ay sa halip inabuso niya sa iba’t ibang paraan. Mga babae pati mga menor de edad, pati ibang mga miyembro ng Kingdom na lalaki pero pinagmalupitan niya. ‘Yung mga pinilit niya maglimos para pala sustentuhan lang ang kaniyang marangyang pamumuhay. ‘Yung effectively, human trafficking niya sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas at pati sa ibang mga bansa para ituloy din ang kaniyang mga illegal activities,” she said.

(We have a lot of questions for Quiboloy. Why did he really do all of those things and how did he set up the people he recruited as believers in him and his kingdom, only to abuse them in various ways? He abused women, minors, and even male members of the Kingdom. He forced them to beg just to support his lavish lifestyle. In effect, he engaged in human trafficking in different parts of the Philippines and brought his illegal activities to other countries.)

Arrest warrants were issued against Quiboloy and others for alleged violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act as well as qualified human trafficking.

The Philippine National Police said that Quiboloy surrendered on Sunday after receiving a warning that authorities would enter a building within the KOJC compound if he did not turn himself in within 24 hours.

In March, the Senate issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for "unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices" at the hearings of the Senate panel.

Hontiveros and then-Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri signed the document.

Quiboloy previously said he would not submit himself to the Senate inquiry and would only face the allegations against him before the courts.

Hontiveros had already warned Quiboloy that he would be arrested if he failed to attend the Senate hearing.

In a voice message posted on social media earlier this week, Quiboloy accused the United States government, with help from Philippine officials, of plotting to eliminate him.

The controversial religious leader is facing various cases in the US, including trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.

The House of Representatives had also issued a subpoena against Quiboloy, directing him to appear before the congressional inquiry into the call to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). —VBL, GMA Integrated News