Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) host Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz has confirmed that he has left the Philippines and is currently in the United States, citing threats to his safety and looming legal trouble over his political affiliations and statements.
In a GMA Integrated News report, Celiz claimed he is evading an arrest order that he says was abusively issued by the House of Representatives. “The purpose is to really take myself away mula doon sa abusadong ilalabas na, at inilabas na yata, na arrest order ng House of Representatives,” he said.
He accused lawmakers of using Congress as a tool for political persecution, particularly targeting supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now detained at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. “I believe wala po yan sa karapatan nila na pakialaman ang mga fundamental na constitutional guarantee sa karapatan sa malayang pamamahayag, malayang pagsasalita,” Celiz added. “Kung may reklamo sila sa aming pananalita at pahayag, they can file cases but not weaponize Congress as a tool for persecution.”
Citing a “high threat level” against him and his family, Celiz also revealed his intention to seek political asylum in Canada. “That is an option open for me and under the international convention on the protection of civil and political rights… Mataas po ang threat level laban sa akin at sa mga kagaya ko and I do not see further beyond the wall na may aatrasan pa ako sa Pilipinas,” he said.
Celiz is currently facing an inciting to sedition complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). The complaint stems from his alleged role in inciting public resistance during the failed arrest attempt of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City last year. Others charged include Quiboloy himself, Atty. Israelito Torreon, and former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy.
Celiz and Badoy were also ordered by Quezon City RTC Branch 306 to pay P2.07 million in damages after red-tagging journalist Atom Araullo and his mother, Carol Araullo.
Meanwhile, multiple human rights and migrant organizations have urged the Canadian government to reject Celiz’s asylum plea. In a letter addressed to Canadian officials, groups including Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Migrante International, and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines argued that Celiz’s history of red-tagging endangers exiled activists and Filipino Canadians. “His ongoing activities in Canada threaten the safety of individuals who sought refuge here from persecution in the Philippines,” the letter read.
