Senate orders Quiboloy’s arrest; DOJ files sex raps

MANILA, Philippines — After snubbing the Senate investigation into alleged sexual abuses of Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed son of God, the upper chamber officially ordered yesterday the arrest and detention of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader for contempt.

The arrest order was signed yesterday by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality.

Quiboloy was “ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms until such time that he will appear and testify before the committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt.”

“The Sergeant-at-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this order and make a return hereof within 24 hours from its enforcement,” the order read.

In a chance interview yesterday, Zubiri said it was “ministerial” for him to sign the arrest order after the Senate accorded Quiboloy due process with the issuance of a show-cause order.

Zubiri said he had to defer to the decision of Hontiveros to request for an arrest order after not finding satisfactory Quiboloy’s explanation to the Senate on why he should not be cited in contempt.

Zubiri said the Senate even tried backchannel talks with the KOJC founder, “but he really does not want to go here. So we have no other choice but to issue the warrant for his arrest.”

Zubiri assured Quiboloy that he would be given protection in the Senate detention area.

The committee hearings on sexual abuses allegedly committed by Quiboloy and his followers would be scheduled immediately even while the Senate is on break, according to Zubiri.

“Once again, we must respect each and every invited resource person. We can guarantee their personal safety and security, not only to Pastor Quiboloy, but all invited resource persons,” Zubiri said.

Hontiveros said the Senate’s arrest order against Quiboloy “is timely this Women’s Month.”

“Quiboloy has no right to trample on the dignity of the Senate and disrespect the institution. I would like to thank the witnesses for bravely coming out in this fight,” Hontiveros said.

Witnesses have accused Quiboloy of raping them and forcing them to raise