Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 11) — Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution on Monday seeking to investigate the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse within the religious group led by controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“Directing the Senate Committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the reported cases of large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) under its leader Apollo Quiboloy,” the resolution stated.
Hontiveros’ resolution said, Quiboloy, who claims to be the “Appointed Son of God and the leader of Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name (KOJC)” allegedly demands strict obedience from his followers through “brainwashing, psychological manipulation, and constant threats of eternal damnation.”
Women victims called “pastorals” are allegedly coerced to do household chores for Quiboloy, perform sexual acts, and beg or solicit money from strangers, the resolution alleged.
It added that some of pastorals were still minors during their recruitment and performance of sexual services.
“According to informants, the pastorals are divided into the ‘inner circle’ and the ‘inner of the innermost circle,’ with the latter category being made to perform acts of sexual nature,” Hontivero’s resolution said. Those in the inner circle are assigned household chores including bathing and massaging Quiboloy, it added.
Citing informants, Resolution 844 added that “those who are not able to meet their quota of monies collected find themselves severely whipped, or subjected to public humiliation.”
Last year, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declared Apollo Quiboloy and two other church members as “wanted” for alleged sex trafficking charges.
He and two members of his church were indicted in November 2021 by a federal grand jury US district court in California for “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.”
READ: Quiboloy on FBI’s most wanted list
Quiboloy on FBI’s most wanted list
FBI arrests 3 Quiboloy church members in US on immigration fraud charges
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/30/Quiboloy-Kingdom-of-Jesus-Christ-US-FBI-immigration-fraud-arrest.html
Given the US indictment, Hontiveros said that Quiboloy and his church, KOJC, are still operating freely in the Philippines.
She urged the Senate body to probe them “considering that the crimes were committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.”
“An investigation in aid of legislation will also allow us to determine whether our updated human trafficking laws are able to cover large-scale and systemic acts of trafficking done under the cover of a religious organization,” the resolution stated.
CNN Philippines’ email, calls and messages seeking comment from the KOJC as well as one of Quiboloy’s lawyers remained unanswered.
Last year, after the FBI released wanted posters for Quiboloy, his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio told CNN Philippines the allegations against the pastor came from polluted sources and that he was confident this can be proven in court.
“We are actually looking forward sapagkat [since] there will be a probable cause hearing before the courts and there mapapakita po namin na ‘yung mga nagpaparatang kay Pastor Quiboloy ay polluted sources [we can show them that the accusations against Pastor Quiboloy were from polluted sources],” Topacio told Newsroom Weekend on Feb. 5, 2022.
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