Apollo Quiboloy
Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order against Apollo Quiboloy, the religious leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), ahead of a Senate inquiry into the allegations of human trafficking, rape and sexual and physical abuse against him.
At the House of Representatives, Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela party list Rep. Arlene Brosas urged her colleagues to consider a measure filed exactly a year ago which had sought a congressional inquiry into the same cases against Quiboloy.
At a press briefing, Hontiveros gave a preview of the inquiry aimed at intensifying the country’s human trafficking laws by presenting video testimonies from two witnesses who claimed they suffered abuses as KOJC members.
“I urge the [DOJ] to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order, which they can do motu proprio (on their own initiative) to prevent Quiboloy from leaving the country,” she said, adding: “He must not escape accountability. Our children’s lives are at stake.”
The other day, Hontiveros delivered a privilege speech exposing and calling for an investigation into the alleged malpractices committed by Quiboloy purportedly under the guise of exacting obedience from his followers.
Forced to beg
In a video message, “Jackson” said he was a member of the KOJC youth in 1999 who were forced to beg for alms.
“As a newcomer in December 1999, I experienced getting slapped by a minister because I was only remitting P300 to P500 [and] I did not know [that amount that was too small],” he said.
In 2000, Jackson recalled he was beaten up more than 50 times inside a gym by ministers who were acting on Quiboloy’s orders. “Quiboloy subjects all his ministers to a fellowship, issues his direct orders and would often get angry if they don’t obey,” he said.
Former KOJC member Arlene Stone, now based in the United States, said she was a former pastoral in Quiboloy’s “inner circle.”
“I was 15 years old when I was first converted under Quiboloy and immediately, we were deployed from Davao City to Metro Manila to beg at the Amoranto [Sports Complex] in Quezon City,” she added.
Stone said her group posed either as deaf and mute beggars, or as fake students carrying fabricated documents of various associations under such names as Children’s Joy Foundation, Pag-asa ng Buhay, Pagdamay sa Dukha Association, Shivers and Sons of David.
Brosas noted that the allegations against the KOJC leader had been going on for years and should be investigated.
According to her, political prisoners and peace advocates facing trumped-up charges suffer behind bars, while Quiboloy, who faces US sanctions, remains free and contributes to the spread of fake news and Red-tagging through some programs being aired on the Sonshine Media Network International network.
“We stand with the victims of Quiboloy and call on the government to pursue an investigation into his operations in the Philippines and provide support and protection for his victims,” Brosas said.
US indictment
On Dec. 13 last year, Brosas, together with ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro and Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel, filed House Resolution No. 644 urging the committees on women and gender equality, and on the welfare of children to investigate the cases filed against Quiboloy in the United States.
A federal grand jury in the US district court of Sta. Ana, California, in November 2021 voted to indict the televangelist along with two other persons for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and sex trafficking of children; and bulk cash smuggling.
In February 2022, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation released wanted posters for Quiboloy over his alleged participation in labor trafficking and his indictment for sex trafficking. INQ