By Joahanna Lei Casilao, GMA Integrated News
Child abuse and human trafficking charges have been filed against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and five others, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday.
In a statement, the department said Quiboloy is facing Qualified Human Trafficking charges under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, pursuant to the Resolution promulgated before a Pasig court.
No bail was recommended for the charges.
Charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act were also filed against Quiboloy before a Davao court.
For the Davao case, prosecutors said the bail was set at P180,000 for sexual assault and P80,000 for maltreatment.
Charged with Quiboloy on both cases were Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemane.
"The Department of Justice is dedicated to the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our children from exploitation and abuse," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.
"This case underscores our commitment to hold accountable those who would harm our society's most vulnerable. Let this serve as a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law," he added.
GMA News Online continues to seek the reaction of Quiboloy's camp on the matter.
Earlier in the day, the Senate officially released an arrest order against Quiboloy for "unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices" at the hearings of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
The Senate panel conducted an inquiry into the alleged sexual abuses and human trafficking cases in his religious group.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri maintained that the decision to issue an arrest order was based on the committee's decision and his signing was only part of his duty as Senate president.
"We maintain that this is a committee matter...the chairperson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, found no merit in the explanation of Pastor Quiboloy and has ruled to deny the reliefs prayed for and to issue the order of arrest," Zubiri said.
He said there would be no need to order Quiboloy's arrest if he appeared in the next hearing and purged himself of contempt.
In early March, a California court ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused in the KOJC leader's case, which involves charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.
According to New York lawyer Lara Gregory, this could be the first step in initiating the extradition process by the US Department of Justice for Quiboloy.
Now that the arrest warrants for Quiboloy and his co-accused have been unsealed, INTERPOL may also issue Red Notices for their names to be put on notice, Gregory had told GMA Integrated News.
Quiboloy remains wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is believed to be in the Philippines.
In an audio message in February, Quiboloy denied the allegations against him and accused the US government, allegedly with help from Philippine government officials, of plotting to "eliminate" him through rendition.
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