The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Tuesday, January 23 issued a subpoena against self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy after the latter skipped the panel’s investigation into the alleged crimes committed by his church, The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate panel, said Quiboloy did not respond to the invitation sent by the committee.
But according to Hontiveros, the leader of the religious group sent a letter to Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.
The Senate panel is investigating Quiboloy and leaders of the KOJC who have been linked to various allegations, including their involvement in large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual violence and child abuse.
It was Hontiveros who filed Senate Resolution No. 884, seeking an inquiry into the accusations against the KOJC leader.
During the hearing, victim-survivors recalled their harrowing ordeal under the hands of Quiboloy, testifying how they were told to personally bathe the alleged cult leader.
A certain “Amanda,” a former full-time worker at the KOJC, recalled how Quiboloy took advantage of her as a 10-year old. Aside from her, several other children, including her sister, who was also then a minor, were tasked to beg in the streets, and solicit strangers for money supposedly for the advancement of the “kingdom.”
When she turned 17 years old, “Amanda” said she was then asked to be part of the pastoral council. It was during this time that she was offered as a “sacrifice” to Quiboloy and was eventually raped by the KOJC leader.
“Amanda” also testified that there were other minors who were sexually harassed by Quiboloy.
There were also some Ukrainian women who claimed they were also raped by Quiboloy.
“Sofia” claimed she was about 21 years old when she was sexually harassed by Quiboloy in 2014. According to her, she left her job, school, her friends and family in order to serve Quiboloy.
When she was asked if she was ready to sacrifice “everything even your body,” she agreed tinking it was the right thing to do at that time.
“Sofia” said she eventually started fighting back against Quiboloy and leaders of the KOJC, when she noted that most of those who were tasked to be part of the “pastoral” were minors.
Another witness, “Jerome,” told the committee how the KOJC exploited him to work in the streets since he was 12 years old. According to him, he got convinced to be a full-time worker at the KOJC in 2004 but was then told not to pursue his studies anymore.
He was then sent to the mansion of the “pastor” in Novaliches, Quezon City where Quiboloy’s mansion is located near an SMNI transmitter. Here, he was ordered to sell and solicit as a minor. They were even told to present fake student IDs.
However, his and some of their colleagues, experienced being beaten up by Quiboloy’s men. According to “Jerome” they are not allowed to play computers, accept tips, watch movie, or mingle with non-members of the KOJC, because they are full-time members of the group.
Once a full-time member, “Jerome” said they are no longer allowed to call their families or save their own personal money. Quiboloy’s men , he said, would thoroughly inspect their belongings to check if they have withheld some of their savings from them.
According to Jerome,” those who dared go against Quiboloy are set apart and called as “Serpent’s Seed.” As punishment, their heads are banged repeatedly on the wall until their heads are bloodied, they are also beaten up; Quiboloy’s men would even put chili directly in their eyes, mouths and even their private parts. They eventually succeeded to escape from their clutches and sought the help of former KOJC members who have also left the group’s fold.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy should personally face the Senate’s investigation and answer the allegations hurled against him and the alleged offenses committed by his church.
“Hindi po kayo anak ng Diyos na exempt sa awtoridad ng estado (You are not a son of God that you should be exempted from state authorities),” Hontiveros said in her closing statement.
The senator said that while Quiboloy can invoke the right against self-incrimination, it is rude for the religious leader to snub the Senate’s probe.
“Higit pa, hindi po ito (Moreover, this is not) religious persecution. Ito ay pagsisiyasat sa paggamit sa paniniwala, pananalig o pananampalataya ng iba, para gumawa ng mga kasuklam-suklam na abuso at pinsala sa mga taong binaluktot ang paniniwala, tinanggalan ng lakas, at pinagsamantalahan (It is an investigation into the use of the beliefs, convictions or faith of others, to commit heinous abuses and harms to those whose beliefs have been distorted, disempowered, and exploited),” Hontiveros stressed.