Apollo Quiboloy INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police may finally revoke this week the firearms licenses issued to fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing arrest on several charges, including child abuse.
Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP spokesperson, said at a forum in Manila on Wednesday that PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil was already studying the recommendation of the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) to revoke Quiboloy’s gun permits.
The recommendation was forwarded to Marbil on Tuesday.
According to Fajardo, there was a “clear” basis to revoke the licenses issued to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder.
READ: Hontiveros presses PNP to get Quiboloy’s guns: ‘Why so slow?’
Fajardo said the FEO cited Section 4 (g) of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act as among the grounds for its recommendation.
“Hopefully, within the week, the approved decision of our chief PNP will come out,” she told reporters.
Quiboloy, a known close friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is facing several arrest warrants on charges of child abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, exploitation and discrimination.
Based on the standards and requisites for issuance of and obtaining a license to own and possess firearms of the law, the applicant should not have been “convicted or is currently an accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of more than two years.”
Fajardo earlier said that Quiboloy has 19 firearms, adding that one of the licenses issued for one of the guns expired in March.
Earlier, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who led the Senate inquiry into allegations of abuse against Quiboloy, questioned why the PNP was taking too long to revoke his gun licenses.
Hontiveros’ appeal
The senator last week shared screenshots of social media posts showing KOJC members in camouflage uniforms and bearing arms.
“What are they waiting for? It’s all over social media that Quiboloy has a private army. They are ready to lay down their lives for him, they are ready to use their firearms to protect Quiboloy. He is actually a threat to our country’s peace and order,” Hontiveros said.
“I am again calling on the PNP Chief, PGen. Rommel Marbil, to lead better. Quiboloy is a high-profile fugitive who must be apprehended,” she added.