Authorities here will implement the arrest order of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy once the legal order will be in their hands. This after the pastor failed to appear at the Senate investigation on the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuses involving his group.
Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, said they will act on the legal order as “a fair law enforcement of police officers will be implemented.” no matter the personality or the status of the alleged offender.
Dela Rey said that to successfully serve the warrant, “let our intelligence (unit) work on it, we will find out where he is now and if he is really in Davao City.”
She said police personnel will be deployed outside the Jose Maria College in Buhangin as soon as they receive the directive from their headquarters.
“So definitely there (should be) an order to enforce it,” she added. “The Senate will give orders to the PNP national headquarters then they will send the communication to the Police Regional Office 11 before we will act on it.”
Lt Col Grace Lascano, Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) 11 assistant chief, echoed the same statement..
“No action will be done unless there will be a memorandum coming from headquarters, so we are just waiting for an order,” Lascano said, addimg, “we can’t do our own action unless there will be references that will become our basis.”
On Pastor Quiboloy’s private plane, Lascano said that they are monitoring the air site daily but cannot go inside the private hangar. Based on their report, she said Quiboloy has a private plane stationed near the Davao International Airport. “There are times that they will hire helicopters but that would be subject to clearance if they are allowed for landing or not,” she added.
Moreover, she said they have not monitored if the plane is in the hangar as they do not have the authority [to check] because their hangar is private and closed..
She explained that the flights of Davao International Airport’s arrival and departure areas are separate from the special flight which will request clearance to leave the Davao Airport.
“From time to time our personnel on the field will give situational reports regarding the landing or departure of the Pastor’s aircraft. We are also verifying that with the head of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP),” Lascano said.
Prior to an aircraft take off, she said that it will request for a clearance with three signatories, one of which will be coming from the Police.. “But if ever there will be notice or information or documents to hold the flight, that would be the standing authority of the CAAP,” she explained.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality will seek the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy for refusing to appear at the investigation into the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuses involving his religious group.
This developed as committee chairperson Senator Risa Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt after the religious leader repeatedly ignored the subpoena issued by the Senate as he invoked his right to due process.
“Pursuant to Section 18 of the Rules of the Senate, as chair of the Committee, with the concurrence of one member here with me (Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III), I cite in contempt Apollo Carreon Quiboloy for his refusal to be sworn or to testify before this investigation. This committee requests the Senate President to order his arrest so that he may be brought to testify,” Hontiveros. Senate committee chair, said.
Prior to citing Quiboloy in contempt, Hontiveros disclosed a letter dated Feb. 28 sent by Quiboloy’s lawyer Melanio Balayan addressed to her and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
“With all due respect to Your Honors and the Senate as an institution, we hereby submit that the issuance and enforcement of the said Subpoena is in wanton violation of the fundamental and sacred constitutional rights of our Client against self-incrimination and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt,” Balayan’s letter read.
