SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue a lookout bulletin order against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, stressing that the leader “must not escape accountability” for the alleged crimes he committed against his followers.
An ILBO is different from a hold departure order (HDO) since it is for monitoring purposes only and is not in itself a sufficient prohibition to bar someone from leaving the country.
Only courts can issue an HDO.
In a press conference, Hontiveros stressed that Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” has been accused by his former followers at the KOJC of committing sexual abuse and exploitation of members.
“I urge the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order, which they can do motu proprio, to prevent Quiboloy from leaving the country. He must not escape accountability. Our children’s lives are at stake,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution calling for an investigation on Quiboloy’s alleged large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse activities to determine if the country’s updated human trafficking laws respond to large-scale and systematic acts of trafficking under the cover of religious groups.
She said the investigation will zero-in on the alleged abuses, not on the religious organization per se.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy’s alleged criminal activities in the country cannot be denied as he is likewise wanted in the US for sexual offenses.
“Kaya nag-fa-followup ako na mag-issue sila ng immigration lookout bulletin order dahil nga patunay ito sa binanggit ko kanina na global ang breadth ng mga krimen at concern tungkol sa mga krimen niya dahil nga nasa FBI watchlist siya (That’s why I am following this up, that they issue an immigration lookout bulletin order because this is proof that his [alleged] crimes and other concerns are global in breadth because he is in the FBI watchlist),” she said.
“Hindi masama kung makikipa-ugnayan ang DOJ at NBI sa mga counterparts nila sa US para masigurong hindi makatakas sa kamay ng batas at hustisya si Quiboloy kung mapatunayan ng aming pagdinig ang mga reklamo laban sa kanya at humarap siya sa mga otoridad hindi lang dito, pati doon na rin sa ibang bansa (I see nothing wrong if the DOJ and NBI will coordinate with their counterparts in the US to make sure that Quiboloy cannot escape the law. If it is proven during the committee investigation that the accusations against him are true, then he should face the proper authorities here and abroad),” she added.
Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said the DOJ will act on the matter once a request is formally submitted by Hontiveros.
“We will wait for the formal request by Sen. Risa Hontiveros,” Clavano said when sought for an update if Hontiveros has formally asked the DOJ to issue an ILBO against Quiboloy.
At the same time, Clavano said there are pending appeals with the DOJ against Quiboloy involving a libel case and another for rape and qualified trafficking in persons.
The rape and qualified trafficking in persons cases were filed against the preacher by a former follower of Quiboloy in 2019. — With Ashzel Hachero
