Senate panel asks courts to allow Quiboloy, others attend probe on Oct. 23

The Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality has requested the courts in Pasig City and Quezon City to allow Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy to attend the continuation of its investigation on allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse on October 23.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros's office shared the copy of the letters dated October 14 to the media which were sent through committee secretary Gemma Tanpiengco to Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 Presiding Judge Elma Rafallo-Lingan and Quezon City RTC Branch 106 Presiding Judge Noel Parel.

The continuation of the investigation is set on October 23 at 10 a.m.

Apart from Quiboloy, the committee has also requested the Pasig City court for the presence of Quiboloy's co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes.

In March, the Senate issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for "unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices" at the hearings of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

Quiboloy fell into government's hands on September 8, but the religious leader's camp said he turned himself in to the Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines. He has since been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

The KOJC leader earlier said he will not submit himself to the Senate inquiry into the allegations of sexual abuse made by former members of his religious organization against him.

Quiboloy said he would only face the allegations against him before the courts.

Among the cases Quiboloy is facing include alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and qualified human trafficking charges.

Some of his accusers are former KOJC members.

Quiboloy is also facing charges of alleged conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling charges in the United States. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News