29-4-2024 (MANILA) Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed yesterday that the responsibility for the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy now lies with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Zubiri, who authorised the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy based on the recommendation of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women and children, stated that the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSSA) has appropriately coordinated with law enforcement agencies for Quiboloy’s apprehension.
“We have issued the warrant of arrest, we’ve conducted, I believe, OSSA chief Gen. Roberto Ancan (has) conducted coordinations with the PNP and the NBI,” Zubiri affirmed.
The Senate president signed the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy to compel his attendance at a Senate investigation into allegations of abuses against former members of his organisation.
Quiboloy has vehemently denied these allegations. He, along with his associates, faces charges of child abuse and sexual offenses, with cases filed in the Davao City court. Additionally, he is confronted with a non-bailable human trafficking case before a Pasig City court.
“The arrest (of Quiboloy) is now in the hands of the PNP and the NBI; it is no longer in our hands. The OSSA can’t do it, I explained it to Sen. Risa Hontiveros. That’s not the OSSA’s job,” Zubiri clarified.
He elucidated that the OSSA’s responsibility is to safeguard the Senate and its members, and to serve warrants or subpoenas, “but we don’t have hunter teams, we don’t have that in the Senate.”
