MANILA – A Davao Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for alleged sexual abuse.
Judge Dante Baguio of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 ordered Quiboloy’s arrest for the charge of alleged violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minor and maltreatment.
Aside from Quiboloy, also issued arrest warrants for the same case were Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes.
Baguio originally issued the arrest warrant on March 14, but its implementation was suspended after the court was informed by Quiboloy’s camp that a motion for reconsideration was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
However, the Davao RTC Branch 12 did not receive any resolution on the motion for reconsideration, paving the way for the implementation of arrest warrant.
“Having received none as of this date, the Court declines this time to await. As what was earlier determined upon judicious examination and perusal of information where it found probable cause, let the warrants of arrest already issued be implemented immediately,” the court said.
It added: “The Court, mindful of the equally situated rights of both the prosecution and defense, which may include among others, the speedy disposition and speedy trial cases, either of which or both, said right imposes an imperative task that this Court is indebted to fulfill.”
Aside from the Davao court’s arrest warrant, Quiboloy also has separate contempt orders from the Senate and the House of Representatives for snubbing their inquiries.
The Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality is investigating Quiboloy for allegations of “large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse”.
The House, on the other hand, is probing Quiboloy for Swara Sug Media Corporation’s alleged violations of its franchise to operate Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)./PN
