The self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" Apollo Quiboloy (Kingdom of Jesus Christ)

House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to put its foot down and investigate the cases of sex trafficking, rape, and physical abuse of women and children filed against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and its founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 24, Brosas slammed the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God”.

“Ilang taon na ang lumipas, wala pa ring nagiging aksyon ang gobyerno para mapanagot si Quiboloy sa kanyang mga krimen laban sa kababaihan at mga bata,” the Makabayan bloc member stressed.

(Several years have passed, the government is still taking no action to hold Quiboloy accountable for his crimes against women and children.)

Quiboloy is a close ally and longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte. He is Duterte’s spiritual advisor. 

Brosas argued that this close connection between the two had allowed Quiboloy’s cases to fall on deaf ears.

“Hanggang ngayon ba, palakasan pa rin? Dapat agad na maglunsad ng imbestigasyon ang DOJ lalo na sa mga aktibidad ni Quiboloy dito sa Pilipinas," the lady lawmaker noted.

(Until now, is it still about favoritism? The DOJ should immediately launch an investigation especially on Quiboloy's activities here in the Philippines.)

On Tuesday, several victim-survivors testified during a Senate probe how they were allegedly sexually abused, coerced, and trafficked by the church leader through a variety of psychological manipulation, including constant threats of eternal damnation.

Brosas had earlier filed House Resolution (HR) No. 644, which urges the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation into the alleged cases by Quiboloy as reported by the United States' (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

"Dapat paharapin mismo si Quiboloy at wag siyang hayaang pagtaguan ang samu't saring krimen na kanyang ginawa laban sa kababaihan,” reckoned the Gabriela solon. 

(Quiboloy should be brought to justice and prevented from being able to elude the various crimes he has committed against women.)

“We stand with the victims of Quiboloy and urge the government to initiate an inquiry into his activities in the Philippines. Agad dapat na magbigay ng legal assistance ang gobyerno sa mga biktima at tulungan sila na makamit ang hustisya," she added.

(The government should immediately provide legal assistance to the victims and help them achieve justice.)