Another 5 ‘pastorals’ complain of sexual abuse by Quiboloy

DAVAO CITY – Davao City Police Chief Col. Hansel M. Marantan said five former members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) recently reported that they were allegedly sexually abused by Reverend Apollo C. Quiboloy.

A heavily covered Reverend Apollo Quiboloy is escorted during a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Monday, Sept. 9. (AP)

Marantan said at a press conference on Thursday, September 12, that the victims who were “inner circle pastors” before leaving KOJC last year, immediately contacted him following the Senate investigation, in support of legislation, into the police operations on KOJC premises carried out by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on September 7 last year.

He said the alleged victims – two of whom he spoke to in person and three others via video conference – cried as they described how they had been sexually abused at the age of 13.

“They were formed and brainwashed and indoctrinated until they accepted their fate. Pero mali ‘yan (but that is wrong) according to the law. If there is sexual abuse – and it is a minor – then that is tantamount to a violation of the law,” he said.

In a statement to the media, Israelito Torreon, chief attorney for KOJC, said he has yet to verify the statements and identities of these alleged victims with the city police director, as he could not speculate whether these allegations were true or fabricated to “tarnish the good name and reputation” of Quiboloy.

“I pray that the PNP (Philippine National Police) will handle the investigations into these new alleged cases with care and professionalism and not give them too much publicity, as there is a high probability that these alleged new complainants are only influenced by forces whose goal is not to obtain justice but to score much-needed political points,” he said.

Marantan said the victims were recruited to serve the religious group at age 12, with the promise of free education, but were never sent to school.

“Magaganda po sila at may mga lahi po sia. Mga lahi nila European and American, hindi ko na alam kung anong mga lahi pa (They are beautiful and they have races. Their races are European and American, I don’t know what other races). They are very beautiful,” he said.

Marantan said “carnal knowledge” with the victims were the last rites before they became “inner circle pastors,” who, he claimed, enjoyed more privileges compared to other KOJC members, and lived like “queens and princesses.”

He said the alleged victims wanted to report the abuse when they left KOJC, but were reluctant because they were afraid to share their experiences.

Marantan said police would file charges against Quiboloy for violation of Republic Act 7610, also known as Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

“Do you know what the general situation is among the victims? They all come from broken homes. Those who met the standards of Quiboloy, kinuha niya (were recruited) and prepared them for pastoral work, and became ‘innermost circle’,” he said.

Marantan said the victims chose to remain silent despite the alleged abuse because they were told the “angels of death” would come after them if they broke the “code of secrecy” by reporting the sexual assault to authorities “to take revenge.”

“If there is a violation, kunyari sinabi mo na (for example, if you say that) they will be sexually abused by Quiboloy, papasok na ‘yung ‘Angels of Death’ (the ‘Angels of Death’ would come in) to ‘get even’ and ‘to take revenge’ means papatayin ka at pati ‘yung mga genes line mo, ‘yung mga magulang mo, mga kapatid mo (you and your family, including your parents and siblings will be killed),” he said.

On Sunday, September 8, Quiboloy and his co-defendants, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemañes, were arrested by authorities at the complex.

Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, director of the Davao Regional Office (PRO), said Quiboloy was hiding in the ACQ College of Ministry, a Bible school in the complex.

He said Quiboloy was taken from the compound, put in one of the vehicles escorted to the airport by the PNP-Aviation Security Group and taken to Manila by C-130. The plane landed at the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-Davao at the old airfield in Barangay Sasa, near the compound.

Quiboloy is accused of child abuse and aggravated human trafficking, along with co-defendants Roy, Cresente, Paulene, Ingrid and Cemañes. Paulene was arrested on July 11 at her residence in Emily Homes Subdivision in Barangay Cabantian here.

Two arrest warrants were issued against the suspects in April last year by the Davao City Regional Trial Court, Branch 12, and the Pasig City RTC.

On May 28, the Second Division of the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the two criminal cases from Davao City RTC-Branch 12 to Quezon City RTC.

The Senate ordered Quiboloy’s arrest on March 19 last year after he was charged with contempt of court for ignoring an order to participate in the investigation of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.