SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday pressed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport issued to fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to restrict his movements and prevent him from fleeing the country.
Hontiveros made the call days after the PNP revoked the license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) and the firearms registration of Quiboloy on her prodding.
“Imbes magpakita sa Senado o sa korte, panay record ng audio message na tila nang-iinsulto pa sa kakayanan ng gobyerno na matunton siya. This is appalling. This should not be allowed to pass, but only challenge the government more to exhaust all means to restrict his movements (Instead of showing up at the Senate or the courts, he sends out audio messages as if trying to insult the government for its failure to track him down),” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“The world is closing in on him. He is accused of crimes that transcend continents and nationalities. Tiwala ako na maraming bansa ang handing makipagtulungan sa Pilipinas para papanugutin siya (I am confident that there are many countries who are ready to cooperate with the Philippines to hold Quiboloy liable),” she also said, adding that three of the KOJC leader’s alleged victims are foreigners.
In past media interviews, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza has said that the cancellation of a passport is a “red flag for any application in all DFA consular offices within and outside the Philippines.”
Daza said canceled passports are reported to the Bureau of Immigration and the Interpol office in the Philippines, which then reports this to the Interpol headquarters. Once the report is made, the canceled passport is included in the alert system of international border controls.
Hontiveros said she is optimistic that authorities will soon catch up with Quiboloy and arrest him, just like what happened to Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr. who tried to evade arrest by going abroad and seeking asylum in other countries. Teves has been arrested in East Timor while playing golf.
Warrants of arrest have been issued against the religious leader by trial courts in Davao City and Pasig City for child abuse and human trafficking charges, respectively.
Aside from the court orders, the Senate and the House of Representatives have also ordered the pastor’s arrest for his refusal to cooperate in congressional hearings.
The Senate Committee on Women and Children is looking into the alleged abuses committed by Quiboloy against former KOJC members, while the House Committee on Legislative Franchises investigated the franchise violations of the Sonshine Media Network Inc, which is owned by Quiboloy.
The police have yet to locate the whereabouts of Quiboloy to serve the warrants of arrest.
