Davao prosecutors dismiss rape, human trafficking raps vs Quiboloy, 5 others

Evangelist Apollo Quiboloy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Davao City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the rape, child abuse, and human trafficking complaint filed against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and five others.

In a joint resolution dated June 29 but was only released on Tuesday, the prosecutors junked the complaints against Quiboloy, Cresente Canada, Jackielyn W. Roy, Paulenet Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemanes.

The dismissed complaints are rape, child abuse under Republic Act No. 7610, physical abuse, trafficking in persons through forced labor and trafficking in persons through sexual abuse, which were all filed in December 2019.

Davao City Prosecutor Nestor Ledesma, with three other Senior Assistant City prosecutors decided to unanimously dismiss the complaints.

Quiboloy’s chief counsel Atty. Israelito P. Torreon, in a statement, said that his team “was able to marshal overwhelming  evidences and proof proving the falsity of the charges.”

The complainant, who is a former member of Quiboloy’s religious sect, accused the pastor of raping her back in 2014. Quiboloy has since denied her claim.

Torreon added that the complainant filed the rape case against the pastor after a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court of Panabo City, Davao Del Sur for libel charges Quiboloy filed against her.

Quiboloy, who has proclaimed himself as the “Appointed Son of God,” is a known friend and backer of President Rodrigo Duterte.

JPV