DOJ orders multiple raps to be filed vs Quiboloy
Apollo Quiboloy (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking cases in separate courts against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of the Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious sect.
At a press briefing on Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ had granted the petition for review filed by Quiboloy’s accuser, a former follower who claimed he raped her.
The Office of the Davao City Prosecutor was subsequently directed to file a case against the self-proclaimed “Son of God” for sexual abuse of a minor in violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
Aside from Quiboloy, five other individuals would also be charged with other acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation under RA 7610.
On the other hand, the charges of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of RA 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act of 2003, would be filed in the Pasig Regional Trial Court.
“We have studied this and investigation showed that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his companions really need to be held accountable to a complainant who was 17 years old when the crime happened,” Remulla said.
“I know Pastor Quiboloy. I consider him a friend but I have to do my job. I have a duty to the Filipino people; I have to do my job,” he added.
According to the justice secretary, they will ask the Supreme Court for permission to move the trial for the cases to courts in the National Capital Region once these are filed.
“Because of problems in Davao …, there were threats being made, we will be asking the Supreme Court to transfer the cases to Manila and appoint a special panel of prosecutors to handle them,” Remulla said.
Lookout bulletin signed
He added that he had already signed an immigration lookout bulletin against Quiboloy and with the filing of the charges, prosecutors would secure a hold departure order to prevent him from leaving the country.
In 2020, the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the complaints of rape and child abuse under RA 7610, trafficking in persons through forced labor, and trafficking in persons through sexual abuse filed against Quiboloy and five other individuals.
This prompted the complainant, a former KOJC member who alleged that she was raped by the televangelist in 2014, to file a petition for review with the DOJ.
Another case under review by Remulla’s office is a cyberlibel case in which Quiboloy is the complainant.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have issued subpoenas for the televangelist after he skipped separate investigations.
The Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, which is looking into allegations that he sexually abused female members of the sect, earlier summoned Quiboloy to appear at the hearing on Tuesday.
‘Huge victory’
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the committee chair, said the DOJ move was a “huge victory for every woman abused and taken advantage of by Quiboloy.”
“This positive development is a gift to every woman this Women’s Month,” she added as she thanked Remulla “for finally acting decisively on this matter.”
“This is a welcome first step toward the victim-survivors’ cry for justice, peace and healing,” said Hontiveros, adding that the Senate would continue with its mandate to investigate, in aid of legislation, into abuses allegedly perpetrated by Quiboloy.
“We will ensure that these inquiries will result in strengthened laws for our women, our children and the most vulnerable among us,” she added.
The House of Representatives is also requiring Quiboloy’s presence on March 12 before the committee on legislative franchises, which is investigating the KOJC-owned Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) for alleged violations of the terms for its franchise.
READ: DOJ orders filing of child abuse, trafficking case vs Quiboloy
Quiboloy, a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, did not say whether he would honor or ignore the subpoenas. But he denounced the proceedings, which he said were meant to “demonize me and destroy my reputation.”
Remulla said the victim in the case was among those presented before the Senate inquiry. He said the DOJ had asked the victim’s lawyer first if they intend to pursue the case against Quiboloy.
“When I learned that they wanted to pursue the case, we pushed for the filing of the charges,” he said, adding that they would also offer protection to the victim.
