Victim-survivor tells all: KJC conceals sexual abuse, calls it a ‘special privilege’

MANILA, Philippines — Some members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) believe that forced sexual intercourse with the “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy is nothing but a “special privilege,” a witness to the religious leader’s “crimes” testified in the Senate on Tuesday.

In tears, alias Amanda recalled during the Senate committee on women’s hearing her traumatizing experience as a former “full-time miracle worker” of KJC.

According to Amanda, she was promoted as a close-in pastoral when she was only 16.

READ: Apollo Quiboloy no show at Senate probe into his alleged crimes

At 17 years old, Amanda said she was forced to have sex with Quiboloy.

“Tanda ko pa, September 1, 2014, kasi kakatapos lang ng Tribute program ng KJC, tutulog na sana ako, pero sabi ng isang kasamang pastoral worker, magpunta daw ako sa dining area ng Bible School dahil pinapatawag daw ako ni Jackielyn Roy. Pagpunta ko, nandun nga si Ms. Roy, pero walang ibang tao sa dining area, madilim at tahimik na kasi dis-oras na ng gabi, tulog na yung ibang mga kasamahan namin. Kinausap ako ni Ms. Roy, ang sabi nya sa akin: Amanda, connection mo ito sa Amahan. Privilege na mapabilang sa Pastoral. I-sanctify mo ang sarili mo,” she recalled.

(I still remember – it was September 1, 2014, because I had just finished the KJC Tribute program. I was about to sleep, but a fellow pastoral worker told me to go to the dining area of the Bible School because Jackielyn Roy was calling me. When I went, Ms. Roy was there, but no one else was in the dining area. It was dark and quiet because it was late at night, and our other colleagues were already asleep. Ms. Roy spoke to me and said: Amanda, this is your connection to the Father. It is a privilege to belong to the Pastoral. Sanctify yourself.)

Amanda said she was told it is part of a pastoral’s job to massage Quiboloy.

“Sabi nya, special privilege daw ito dahil hindi naman daw lahat nahahawakan at nakakalapit sa Anak ng Diyos. Sabi nya pa, ‘wag ko daw pagdudahan ang anuman ng mangyayari sa loob ng kwarto kasama si Quiboloy, basta ibigay ko lang daw ang sarili ko, maghanda daw ako, maligo, mag-toothbrush, sinabihan pa akong mag-blow dry ng buhok,” said Amanda.

(She said this is a special privilege because not everyone can touch and come close to the Son of God. She said that I should not doubt anything that will happen in the room with Quiboloy, as long as I give myself, I should prepare, take a shower, brush my teeth, I was even told to blow dry my hair.)

Although confused, Amanda said she obeyed. Before meeting Qiuboloy that night, Amanda said she was given a bottle of shampoo and lotion — both in Quiboloy’s favorite brand and scent.

After bathing, Amanda said she proceeded to Quiboloy’s room with Jackielyn Roy.

“Pinakita ni Jackielyn kung paano daw minamasahe si Quiboloy. Sabi nya, unahin ko daw sa paa, nakinig lang ako habang dine-demo nya. Tapos sabi na lang ni Jackielyn, hintayin ko na lang daw na sabihin ni Quiboloy kung anong sunod na gagawin. Sabi nya, hanggat walang sinasabi si Quiboloy na pwede na akong umalis, hindi ako dapat lumabas ng kwarto. Matapos siyang magbilin, lumabas na siya ng kwarto,” she recalled.

(Jackielyn showed me how to massage Quiboloy. She said I should start with the foot first. I just listened while she demonstrated. Then, Jackielyn just said, I should wait for Quiboloy to tell me what to do next. She said, as long as Quiboloy doesn’t say I can leave, I shouldn’t leave the room. After that, she left the room.)

“Gising na si Quiboloy nito, tapos sinabihan niya ako na umupo daw sa gitna ng kama. Sumunod lang ako sa instruction, umupo ako na naka-cross-legs, nung itutuloy ko na dapat ang pagmamasahe, tumayo sya at umupo sa harap ko. Sinimulan niyang tanggalin ang butones ng T-shirt ko, hanggang sa tuluyan nyang tinanggal ang buong t-shirt ko. Sabi nya, tumalikod daw ako, sumunod lang ako at doon, tinanggal niya ang aking bra. Pagkatapos, hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at hinila pahiga sa kama,” she detailed.

(Quiboloy was already awake this time and then told me to sit in the middle of the bed. I just followed the instructions; I sat cross-legged, and he stood up and sat before me when I was about to continue the massage. He started unbuttoning my T-shirt until he completely undid my entire T-shirt. He told me to turn my back, I just followed, and he removed my bra. Then, he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me down on the bed.)

Although in tears, Amanda further disclosed her suffering.

“Nung nakahiga na ako, pumaibabaw sa akin si Quiboloy. Tapos, kahit pareho pa kaming naka-pajama non, kinikiskis nya ang ari niya sa ari ko. Sinimulan niyang halikan ang leeg ko. Nanigas na ako nang husto. Gusto kong sumigaw ng tulong at tanungin kung ano ang ginagawa niya, pero naalala ko na bawal akong magtanong,” she said.

(When I was lying down, Quiboloy was on top of me. Then, even though we were both in pajamas, he rubbed his genitals against mine. He started kissing my neck. I froze in fear. I wanted to shout for help and ask what he was doing, but I remembered I’m not allowed to ask.)

The abuse went on. Amanda said she was left afraid, crying, and staring into nothing. She said many things were on her mind that night, but she only reminded herself of one thing: “Maybe this is the Lord’s will in my life.”

That night, she just held back her thoughts and felt helpless. In 2016, Amanda said she left KJC.

Her trauma, however, lingers to this day.