Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy attends Senate probe on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Wednesday denied the existence of the “Angels of Death” alleged to be under his behest.
Quiboloy made the categorical denial when asked by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, head of the Senate committee on women, if he has a private army during the panel’s hearing.
“Do you confirm that you have a private army at your disposal, and what is this called Angels of Death?” Hontiveros asked in Filipino.
“Those are lies, and if those are accusations, I wish that the accuser would file a case against me,” Quiboloy said in Filipino.
Pressed about the existence of the Angels of Death,” Quiboloy said they are “just inventions.”
Earlier in the hearing, former KJC member Eduard Masayon claimed that Quiboloy has a private army.
Masayon also said he was a member of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Metro Davao Signal Battalion, and all its members were also KJC members.
Hontiveros further pressed Quiboloy if the Angels of Death are related to the vigilante group in Davao linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte. He is Quiboloy’s close friend and is now the administrator of KJC properties.
“What is the link, if there is any, of Angels of Death to the DDS or the Duterte Death Squad?” Hontiveros asked Quiboloy.
“I have no personal knowledge about that, so I invoke my right to remain silent on that issue also,” he responded in a mix of English and Filipino.
It was Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo who first revealed information about the Angels of Death.
Fajardo said these armed men are also allegedly harassing sexual abuse victims.
Quiboloy already denied the allegations of sexual abuse.
READ: Quiboloy denies sexual abuse allegations
Quiboloy and four others were arrested last Sept. 8 in the KJC compound and were detained in the PNP Custodial Center the same day.
The religious leader has been detained in the PNP Custodial Center since then, while his alleged cohorts 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 has been detained also in Pasig City Jail.
Five of Quiboloy’s co-accused also appeared at the hearing.
READ: Quiboloy’s alleged victims bare real identities during Senate face-off