A former Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) member on Monday, February 19 claimed that he saw former president Rodrigo Duterte and vice president Sara Duterte leaving the premises of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Glory Mountain carrying bags of firearms.
Rene, not his real name, told the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality which is investigating the alleged abuses committed by KOJC’s Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, that he used to be a landscaper at the Glory Mountain where he saw the Dutertes visiting the property.
“Ako po ay naging landscaper ni Quiboloy sa Glory Mountain at doon ko na po naranasan ang pananakit mismo sa kamay ni Quiboloy. Pag hindi po siya nagandahan sa aming landscape sa mansyon niya, sinasampal niya kami at hinahampas. Mga apat na beses siguro ito sa isang linggo (I became Quiboloy’s landscaper at Glory Mountain and there I experienced the abuses that Quiboloy himself inflicted against me. If he is not satisfied with the landscape in his mansion, he would slap and hit us. That happens four times a week),” Rene told the committee.
“Sa Glory Mountain, pag dumadating si Quiboloy sakay ng chopper, may dala po siya ng malalaking bag na laman po ang iba-ibang uri ng baril at nilalatag po ito sa tent na katabi po ng mansyon niya (At Glory Mountain, whenever Quiboloy arrives by helicopter, ha has a huge bag with him which contains different kinds of firearms and he lays it at the tent near his mansion),” he further narrated.
“Minsan po pumupunta doon din si former President Rodrigo Duterte at former Davao Mayor Sara Duterte. Pag umaalis na sila doon sa Glory Mountain, dala na po nila yung mga bag na siya pong bag na nilalagyan po ng mga baril (Sometimes, former President Duterte and former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte goes there. When they leave the Glory Mountain, they carry the bags that contain the firearms),” he said.
Asked by Sen. Risa Hontiveros to repeat his testimony reminding him that he was under oath, Rene stood firm on his testimony.
“Yes po, madam chair. Nakita ko sila sa Glory Mountain (I saw them at the Glory Mountain),” Rene said informing the committee that it was Quiboloy himself who would lay out these firearms.
Also according to Rene, he left the religious organization in 2021 after suffering forced labor and physical abuse.
But before he can permanently leave the organization, he said he was warned that he would be jailed and “will disappear from earth” if he disclosed anything about the KJOC to people outside of the religious group.
“Nanahimik ako ng ilang taon at bitbit ko ang trauma ng aking pinagdaanan. Lalo pa na ako ay member ng LGBTQ community (I kept quiet for so many years with my trauma. Especially since I am a member of the LGBTQ community),” he said.