MANILA, Philippines — The results of the study conducted by the Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) on whether the cases of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy would be sufficient grounds for the cancellation of his gun licenses will be released “within the day,” according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a media briefing on Monday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the FEO is still studying whether the “grounds for revocation, cancellation or suspension” of a license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) would apply to Quiboloy’s cases.
She added that they are just waiting for FEO to release its decision with the approval of Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil.
“We are studying if Section 4 (RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) is applicable in the case of Pastor Quiboloy, particularly if he has a pending criminal case before the regional trial courts of Davao City and Pasig with a crime that is punishable with a penalty of two years,” Fajardo said.
“We know that his qualified trafficking case carries with it a penalty of life imprisonment, same with child and sexual abuse carries with it a capital punishment. We are just waiting for FEO to issue a resolution within the day with the approval of chief PNP (Marbil),” she added.
PNP’s remarks were in response to the statement released by Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier Monday urging the police force “to stop justifying not revoking his licenses.”
Citing the PNP’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), Hontiveros pointed out that the police organization may now confiscate his guns based on his pending cases — sexual abuse and human trafficking charges.
She directed her call to Marbil, saying that the PNP chief should “lead better.”
“Quiboloy is a high profile fugitive who must be apprehended. Baka kaya ang lakas ng loob magtago ni Quiboloy dahil sa mga armas at baril na pumoprotekta sa kanya. Trabahuin na ng PNP ang pagkansela ng mga armas niya. Bilis-bilisan na,” Hontiveros concluded.
(Maybe Quiboloy is brave because he has guns protecting him. The PNP should work on canceling his [ownership of] weapons. They should do it quickly)