Female minors as young as 12 and 13 years old were allegedly molested repeatedly by Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy through a sweet promise that the such sexual acts assure them of entry to heaven, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday, Sept. 12, citing alleged revelations of more victims.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the sexual assault also came with a threat that “angels of death” would hunt them down if they would reveal what they went through to anybody.
“So you could just imagine a minor being threatened of death if she would break the code of secrecy of her ordeal at the hands of Apollo Quiboloy. And these are all children,” said Fajardo.
“I just don’t know if these angels of death are literally goons of Quiboloy or it is just a figure of speech to threaten the children. These will all be part of our investigation,” she added.
Fajardo said that based on the allegations of the victims, the sexual assault were repeatedly done and allegedly, each children was being scheduled to meet Quiboloy.
She added that all the children are being indoctrinated first by the “inner circles” of Quiboloy and later, being prepared before they were presented to the religious leader.
“These were done repeatedly. A certain minor is for Monday, another is for Tuesday, and another one for Wednesday and so on. You can just imagine a 12 year old kid, I don’t know,” said Fajardo who was at a loss for words on how to describe the testimony of the victims.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil earlier said that a number of children and parents sought police assistance during the 16-day operation at the KOJC compound in Davao City and revealed their ordeal at the hands of Quiboloy.
Quiboloy is facing a case of child abuse before a Quezon City Regional Trial Court and human trafficking before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court.
Quiboloy is also wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States for various cases that include Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion; Conspiracy; and Bulk Cash Smuggling.
Planted
Lawyer Mark Tolentino hit back at the PNP on the latter’s claim that it discovered more sins by Quiboloy.
“I’m sure they’re planted, manufactured. Let them prove their case because the accused is presumed innocent,” said Tolentino.
“Allegation is not equivalent to guilt,” he added.
For Tolentino, Quiboloy is incapable of the allegation hurled against him, and even vouched for the integrity of the KOJC leader.
“He (Quiboloy) is kind and humble. He’s like an ordinary person when you speak to him but full of God’s wisdom,” said Tolentino.
“Even at one percent, Pastor Quiboloy is not capable of doing that. So all those allegations are fake. So I hope that we give Pastor (Quiboloy) due process, the opportunity to explain,” he added.
Ready
Fajardo said they are continuously coordinating with the Pasig Regional Trial Court for the scheduled arraignment of Quiboloy on Friday, Sept. 13, for a case of human trafficking, a non-bailable offense.
“There is an ongoing discussion on the kind of security that will be provided for the purpose of the arraignment of Quiboloy and his co-accused at the Pasig RTC,” said Fajardo.
But part of the initial agreement, she said, is that media coverage will not be allowed.
“We don’t want to give specifics as to the manner on how he (Quiboloy) will be ushered out of Camp Crame en route to Pasig because that is a security matter. But definitely there will be a convoy that will go out and will escort them to Pasig,” said Fajardo.