Senator Risa Hontiveros has taken a decisive step by formally addressing a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), urging the issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), the Name Above Every Name church. Quiboloy is currently entangled in serious allegations of human trafficking and child sexual abuses.
Expressing the urgency of the situation, Senator Hontiveros emphasized the need for an ILBO against Quiboloy, especially with a slated Senate hearing on Jan. 23, 2024, where his presence is imperative.
The call for the lookout bulletin order comes subsequent to Hontiveros’ prior move of filing a resolution that demanded a Senate inquiry into the reported cases of human trafficking violations and disturbing sexual abuses involving Quiboloy and other high-ranking members of the church.
The resolution, labeled as Senate Resolution (SR) No. 884, underscores the necessity to investigate the liability of KOJC under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act, recognized as Republic Act (RA) No. 9208.
Highlighted within the resolution are accounts of individuals termed as “pastorals,” allegedly engaged by the organization to undertake specific personal tasks and errands for Quiboloy. Shockingly, some of these duties reportedly veer into sexually explicit domains. Additionally, pastorals are said to be tasked with chores such as laundry, bathing, cleaning, and providing massages to the religious leader.
Further intensifying the concerns, the resolution references Quiboloy’s indictment in November 2021, alongside two other KOJC officials, on trafficking charges by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Senator Risa Hontiveros emphasized, “An investigation in aid of legislation will also allow us to determine whether our updated human trafficking laws are equipped to address widespread and systematic trafficking activities conducted under the guise of a religious entity.”
The senator’s unwavering pursuit of justice underscores the gravity of the allegations and the necessity for a comprehensive examination of the existing legal framework concerning human trafficking in religious organizations.
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