Sen. Risa Hontiveros (File photo from the Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) of self-declared “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy, like the alleged religious cult Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc., is also involved in systematic sexual abuse of its women and children members, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a privilege speech on Monday.
“After the investigation in Socorro [a town in Surigao del Norte], I was approached by some victims to reveal their stories. And like the stories of Senyor Agila’s victims like Chloe and Renz, their stories are horrifying. Front and center of these narratives are the systemic sexual abuse of women and children in the hands of this man that they call Pastor,” Hontiveros said.
But these supposed crimes did not happen only in the past.
“The abuse of women and children is taking place as we speak, under the auspices of the KOJC. While we celebrate the birth of Jesus, there are children being harmed in the name of KOJC,” she said, speaking partly in Filipino.
Hontiveros, an opposition senator, said her office was able to speak to a 15-year-old alias Jackson. According to Hontiveros, Jackson was forced to solicit funds for the organization. If they fail to meet their daily solicitation quota, they are beaten and paddled.
“I am in possession of testimonies to that effect,” she said.
Another minor testified that he was forced to repeatedly bang his head against the wall until it bled after going on a date with a girl. Hontiveros said the minor was later imprisoned in a dungeon due to his behavior.
“This was a former member who could not stomach the abuse of him and other minors,” she said.
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Hontiveros also revealed that her office had an affidavit detailing the sexual abuse inflicted by Quiboloy himself on a minor.
“My office is in direct contact with a woman who, while not a minor when the sexual abuse happened, lives with the trauma it has brought and continues to fear for her safety,” she said.
According to Hontiveros, a group of preachers likewise exposed Quiboly’s crimes, how he got rich, and how he hides his wealth.
“These patterns and practices are persisting as we speak, and sustaining his other criminal activities. These crimes are not only in the Philippines but in different parts of the world. The international breadth of Apollo Quiboloy’s criminal activities is truly astounding,” Hontiveros said.
She added that early on Monday she filed Senate Resolution No. 884, directing the Senate Committee on Women to look into the accusation against Quiboloy.