FILE PHOTO: Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Senator Risa Hontiveros PHOTO FROM SENATE SOCIAL MEDIA UNIT; INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines— “Bilang na ang masasayang araw ni Apollo Quiboloy (Apollo Quiboloy’s happy days are numbered).”
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros had this to say, following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder and five others by the Davao Regional Trial Court for sexual abuse.
Hontiveros noted that almost all institutions in the country are already moving to hold Quiboloy accountable.
READ: Trafficking, abuse raps filed vs Quiboloy in Pasig, Davao
The Senate has already issued a separate arrest order against Quiboloy over his continued refusal to attend a committee inquiry into his alleged crimes. The Philippine National Police, on the other hand, has already expressed willingness to work with other law enforcement agencies in arresting the sect leader, who claims to be the “Appointed Son of God,” according to Hontiveros.
“Once he is arrested, the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality will expect his appearance in our next hearing,” the senator said in a statement Wednesday.
READ: Apollo Quiboloy on FBI’s ‘most wanted’ list
Hontiveros is the chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, which has been investigating the alleged large-scale and systematic trafficking, sexual abuse, forced labor, and other human rights violations purportedly committed by Quiboloy and his aides.
“Pinapanawagan ko din kay Quiboloy na huwag nang mag-inarte. Ang dami na niyang ginawa para takbuhan ang obligasyon niya sa batas,” Hontiveros said.
(I also call on Quiboloy to stop acting. He has done a lot to run away from his legal obligations.)
“He should just cooperate and properly answer the accusations hurled against him. Kung walang kasalanan, hindi kailangang magtago (If there’s no wrongdoing, there is no need to hide),” she added.