The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said that qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases will be filed against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stressed that the DOJ has granted a petition of review, directing the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City to file a case against Quiboloy for sexual abuse of a minor in violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
Meanwhile, the qualified trafficking case will be filed in a Pasig City court. “We have studied this and it revealed that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his companions really need to be held accountable to a complainant who was 17 years old when the crime happened,” in a media briefing.
Remulla also revealed that he has signed a precautionary hold departure order against Quiboloy.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have issued subpoenas for Quiboloy after he skipped separate hearings on the alleged abuses being linked to KOJC as well as calls to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, the legal operating name of Sonshine Media Network International, the broadcast media arm of KOJC.
Quiboloy, who denied the accusations, earlier said he would only face the courts.
The Senate meanwhile will cite in contempt and order the arrest of Quiboloy if he will not show up in today’s hearing.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Family Relations and Gender Equality, noted they will proceed with the hearing of the cases hurled against Quiboloy by former KOJC members.
“In any case, the hearing will push through. The subpoena of the Senate had been served to Pastor Quiboloy and was received by his people,” she said.
“So, the status as of today is, we are hoping…. he was obligated to appear in the hearing to finally answer the accusations against him.”
Hontiveros said the Senate has yet to receive any communication from the camp of Quiboloy.
The KOJC leader, who was accused by his flock of human trafficking, sex-related offenses, and violence, has stood his ground not to appear before Hontiveros committee.
According to Quiboloy, he would appear only in court.
Senators Francis Tolentino, Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos earlier said Quiboloy should be afforded due process and fair treatment.
Tolentino said the pastor cannot be forced to attend the Senate hearing.
Quiboloy strongly denied all the charges especially sex-related crimes, insisting that women were just after him. with Macon Ramos-Araneta