Photo of SMNI logo from INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A number of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) employees remain members of an affiliate reserved unit of the Philippine Army, its spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said on Tuesday.
SMNI is the media arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founded by Apollo Quiboloy who is facing human trafficking, child abuse, and sexual abuse cases.
Dema-ala said so far, no Army reservists have been involved in Quiboloy’s alleged “angels of death” based on their investigation. They are reportedly the armed followers of Quiboloy.
“Yes, they are still an affiliated reserve unit of the Philippine Army,” he said in a press conference when asked about the status of SMNI reservist personnel.
READ: ‘Angels of Death’ ex-member now under PNP custody – Fajardo
“Currently, we have an ongoing internal investigation in the Philippine Army and as of now, we have not identified any reservist allegedly involved in the ‘angels of death,’” he added.
According to Dema-ala, the Army’s Regional Community Defense Center is investigating the matter.
He also said Army reservists who were found to be members of Quiboloy’s angels of death would be dismissed from being reservists.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo earlier bared that a new batch of Quiboloy’s alleged victims disclosed that the pastor allegedly has angels of death.
Quiboloy also allegedly warned victims—some as young as 12 to 13 years old—that an angel of death would get them if they broke the code of secrecy about the religious leaders’ alleged sexual crimes, according to Fajardo.
Quiboloy’s legal counsel Israelito Torreon vehemently denied the existence of angels of death.
“Our categorical response to these issues is clear: The allegations made by these so-called victims are completely baseless and absolutely false. There is not a shred of truth to these claims—not even a scintilla,” Torreon’s statement read.
He also called the allegation “untrue and absolutely preposterous.”
“They do not have angels of death, rather what they have are PRAYER WARRIORS—men and women dedicated to spiritual battle, not violence,” Torreon said.
Quiboloy and four others were arrested last Sept. 8 in KJC compound in Davao City and were detained in the PNP custodial center the same day.
Quiboloy has been detained in the PNP custodial center to date, while Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes have been detained in Pasig City Jail since Sept. 13.
One of the suspects, Paulene Canada, was the first to be arrested in July and is also in Pasig City Jail.