SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has crossed swords with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the issue of disarming and arresting controversial televangelist Apollo Quiboloy,founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
With Quiboloy’s many pending cases and its gravity, Hontiveros said the PNP could confiscate his firearms
Responding to the call of Hontiveros, the PNP said that doing so is not in accordance with the law.
But Hontiveros told police not to make excuses. The PNP should be doing their job to arrest Quiboloy if they are one with the senators to hold the pastor accountable for being rude to our institution, she said.
“And one good way is to confiscate his firearms especially that he is a fugitive,” she said.
The senator explained that the PNP’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) clearly state that for citizens with a firearms license, legal disability — or the “the loss by the licensee of the legal qualification or capacity to own and possess firearms in accordance with this Revised IRR” — includes the “pendency of a criminal case with imposable penalty of more than two years.”
“In human trafficking cases alone, it is already non-bailable and the penalty is lifetime imprisonment. So what’s. the PNP waiting for?” she asked.
Hontiveros said she was surprised with the snail- paced action of the PNP.
Hontiveros also expressed disbelief at the PNP admitting they are unaware about Quiboloy’s private army. Last week, the senator shared screenshots of social media posts circulating online showing KOJC members in camouflage uniform and bearing firearms.
“I am again calling on the PNP chief, Gen. Rommel Marbil, to lead better. Quiboloy is a high profile fugitive who must be apprehended.