KJC founder Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Senator Risa Hontiveros (right) (PHOTO FROM SENATE SOCIAL MEDIA UNIT; INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — More alleged victims of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy are willing to testify against him in the Senate, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Friday.
“Papaharapin natin si Quiboloy at mga kapwa niya akusado sa Senado,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
(We will make Quiboloy and his co-accused appear before the Senate.)
“Maraming biktima pa ang gustong mag-testigo para ipaglaban ang kanilang pagkatao, ang kanilang dignidad, at ang buong katotohanan,” she added.
(More victims are willing to testify and fight for their humanity, their dignity, and the whole truth.)
On Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo also said they are gathering more testimonies and pieces of evidence after being approached by a new batch of victims, who revealed harrowing details.
Fajardo said the victims—some as young as 12 to 13 years old— were allegedly assured by Quiboloy that they remained “pure” and “intact” because they had sex with “the spirit of God.”
Quiboloy also allegedly warned the victims that an “Angel of death” will go after them if they break the code of secrecy.
In January, Hontiveros’ panel heard the testimony of one of Quiboloy’s alleged victims with an alias of “Amanda”, who is the first to break her silence publicly about Quiboloy’s alleged sexual abuses.
Hontiveros thanked “Amanda” for her courage which she said “inspired more victim-survivors to fight for justice.”
“Siya ang isa sa unang nag-testify in public, sa pamamagitan ng Senado, para isiwalat ang sistematikong panggagahasa, pang-aabuso, at pananamantala ni Quiboloy,” she said.
(She is the one who first testified in public, through the Senate to reveal the systematic rape, abuse and exploitations of Quiboloy.)
Quiboloy and four of his subordinates, Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes, were arrested last Sept. 8 at the KJC compound in Davao city.
They have been detained in the PNP custodial center since then. Another suspect, Paulene Canada, was arrested in July.
Quiboloy and his co-accused are facing human trafficking case before Pasig City court while they also have child abuse cases in Quezon City court.
The self-declared “appointed Son of God” on Friday pleaded not guilty to human trafficking during the arraignment in a Pasig City court, which is his first court appearance.