REP. France Castro (PL, ACT) yesterday slammed the Davao police for claiming to be clueless about the whereabouts of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, saying this is in stark contrast to the arbitrary arrests and abductions of activists.
Castro laughed off the Davao PNP’s claim that it has no idea where Quiboloy is hiding, citing the police’s access to significant intelligence and confidential funds.
“ACT Teachers party-list stands firm in its call for justice, equality, and the upholding of human rights,” Castro said. “I urge the authorities to address this double standard and ensure the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of their stature or affiliation.”
The militant lawmaker, who is a member of the Makabayan bloc, assailed what she called a “glaring double standard” of the Davao police, pointing out that activists such as Eco Dangla and Axielle Tiong “are subjected to arbitrary arrests and abductions without any regard for due process.”
Police Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 11-Davao (PRO-Davao), earlier said the police has no information on the whereabouts of Quiboloy, who has admitted that he has gone into hiding because of the alleged threats to his life.
Dela Rey also said the Senate’s Sergeant-At-Arms has not yet coordinated with local police to execute the Senate’s arrest order against Quiboloy which is meant to force him to attend the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri last March 19 signed the order directing the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) to arrest Quiboloy for his repeated snub of the committee’s investigation into the pastor’s alleged abuses.
Once arrested, Zubiri has said the committee chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros should immediately conduct a hearing so that Quiboloy can air his side, pointing out that committees can hold hearings even while Congress is on recess.
Congress went on a Lenten break last week and will resume regular sessions on April 29.
The Senate is investigating the self-proclaimed “appointed son of god” for alleged human trafficking, labor violations and other related offenses, while the House of Representatives has ordered his arrest for franchise violations of his Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
Quiboloy was also cited in contempt by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises after he snubbed its invitation four times to attend committee hearings.
The House has canceled the congressional franchise of SMNI and has transmitted to the Senate the approved version of House Bill (HB) No. 9710 seeking the termination of the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, operating as SMNI, for various violations, particularly the spreading of fake news and red-tagging of critics of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In the United States, Quiboloy is also facing charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
