Quiboloy denies rape allegations filed by ex-KJC worker

The camp of Apollo Quiboloy on Friday denied rape, qualified trafficking in persons, and child abuse allegations made against him by a former worker of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), an organization founded and led by Quiboloy.

"We are here to tell you that do not judge right away Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy. Please, wait for our defense because we will show to all and sundry that this is part of a grand conspiracy," Attorney Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy's spokesperson, said in a press conference.

Alleged rape victim Blenda Portugal filed charges against Quiboloy, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, and Ingrid Canada.

According to Portugal's testimony, her father, a staunch supporter of Quiboloy, pushed her and her sister to join the KJC in 2009 when she was 12-years-old.

The siblings then became active members of the organization from 2010 to 2011.

They were also told not to question the organization's proceedings as these were the "Father's Will."

"Although at that time, my sister and I did not fully comprehend their implications and meanings that father's will for PACQ is to let myself be exploited both in forms of sexual and forced labor," Portugal testified.

In the latter part of her testimony, Portugal detailed the way she was taken advantage of, stating that after the alleged rape, Quiboloy told her to leave using the back door.

However, Torrean countered that Portugal was allegedly being backed by another individual and hinted that the complaint was connected to a libel case filed against her.

According to Torreon, Quiboloy had filed a libel case against Portugal in October 2010, adding that there was an order from the Panabo City Prosecutor’s Office issuing a warrant of arrest for Portugal since April 2019.

"The last time that we heard was that in the last hearing last December of 2019. Her lawyer withdrew from the case and the preliminary conference was reset next year. And all of a sudden, the same Blenda Portugal, filed a case," he said.

"[W]e do believe that somebody is behind her. If you can see the complaints it's very thick and very well prepared. The English is very astonishingly excellent and it would appear that she is well supported and well-financed," he added.

Quiboloy's representatives said that they would file the appropriate legal charges against Portugal.

"We will show to you that this is not true. The charge of rape which happened allegedly as early as 2016 of September is not true, was not true, and will never be true," Torreon said.

"We know the suspect. We know who they are, and we are prepared for them. We will just show all and sundry that Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is innocent." — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News