Senate panel seeks arrest of Quiboloy for skipping probe of his alleged crimes

Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate panel on women on Tuesday sought the arrest of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy after he skipped the chamber’s investigation of his alleged crimes.

At the Senate’s Tuesday hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros moved to cite Quiboloy for contempt and requested an arrest warrant against the controversial sect leader.

“Pursuant to Section 18 of the Rules of the Senate, as chair of the Committee, with the concurrence of one member here with me, I cite in contempt Apollo Carreon Quiboloy for his refusal to be sworn or to testify before this investigation. This committee requests the Senate President to order his arrest so that he may be brought to testify,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros’ move did not come as a surprise as she previously issued a stern warning against Quiboloy: attend the probe or be arrested.

The Senate has issued two subpoenas to the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” to compel him to face the hearing.

Both orders, however, were ignored by Quiboloy, who earlier admitted that he was in hiding due to threats against his life.

In a letter sent to Hontiveros’s office, Quiboloy’s camp said issuing a subpoena against the religious leader is a “wanton violation of the fundamental and sacred constitutional rights of our client.”

Quiboloy, in February, alleged that the United States is conspiring with the Philippine government to have him eliminated.

Quiboloy is now claiming that the Central Intelligence Agency, FBI, US embassy, and US State Department are working with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos to conduct a “rendition on him.”

Rendition, according to Quiboloy, means that at any time, arresting officials can “enter [his] compound and kidnap [him].”

But Quiboloy said it’s “not only rendition but also elimination.” He even claimed that, if possible, arresting officials would  “assassinate” him.