The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) on Monday called on full cooperation of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members amid the ongoing efforts to serve the warrant of arrest to religious leader Apollo Quiboloy and rescue other potential victims.
Quiboloy is charged before the Davao and Pasay courts facing child abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking cases.
“The IACAT takes every report on human trafficking with utmost seriousness and remains committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all victims…. IACAT commends the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their swift and decisive action in rescuing victims of human trafficking during the execution of a warrant of arrest in Davao City,” the agency said.
The Police Regional Office in Davao rescued on Sunday two church members who were being barred from leaving the KOJC compound.
At present, the rescued victims are under the protection of the police after having been assessed and processed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in accordance with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
IACAT urges all law enforcement agencies to continue their search for potential victims of trafficking, always upholding the law and respecting human rights.
Likewise, the agency strongly encourages any other victims or their relatives to come forward given that this is not the first time information has reached them about alleged human trafficking within the religious organization.
For his part, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla lauded the accomplishment of the PNP and assured the safety and protection of supposed victims and their families.
“l also call for a stronger collaboration between and among the DOJ through the IACAT, the PNP, and the DSWD to ensure airtight cases against the perpetrators with the end view to delivering justice to their victims,” Remulla said.
“Let us continue fighting this human trafficking menace which hounds society particularly the vulnerable sector.”
The IACAT is the body mandated by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, with the DOJ as the lead agency.
