5 new ‘victims’ tell police they were raped by Quiboloy

Five new "victims" told the police that they were allegedly raped by Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press briefing on Thursday, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo shared the “horrible” accounts of the supposed victims but declined to provide details due to its graphic and sensitive nature.

“As to the details at medyo sensitibo yung mga detalyeng binigay doon at kung kayo siguro yung makakakinig medyo...horrible is for lack of better word po. Medyo ganun ang pagkuwento sa akin,” she said.

(As for the details and the details given there are quite sensitive and if you listen to them they are quite…horrible is for lack of a better word. That’s how it was shared to me.)

“So just can't imagine a minor being sexually molested by an individual at sinasabi po nila as early as 12 or 13 years old they were allegedly sexually molested by Apollo Quiboloy,” she added.

(So just can't imagine a minor being sexually molested by an individual and they say as early as 12 or 13 years old they were allegedly sexually molested by Apollo Quiboloy.)

Fajardo said the alleged victims claimed that they were told that sexual intercourse with Quiboloy is their “passes to heaven.”

“Ang isang sinasabi is diyos ang kanilang pinagsisilbihan at kung anuman yung gagawin nila ay yun yung parang kanilang passes to heaven,” Fajardo said.

(One of the things they said is that they were told they were serving God and whatever they did, it constitutes their passes to heaven.)

“Pagkatapos gamitin diumano ni Pastor Quiboloy itong mga bata, ang sinasabi sa kanila they are still pure, intact pa rin yung kanilang pagkababae dahil ang nakipagtalik sa kanila ay 'espiritu ng diyos',” she added.

(After Pastor Quiboloy allegedly used these children, they were told they are still pure, their femininity is still intact because the one who had sex with them was the "spirit of god".)

The victims said they were scheduled to have sex with the KOJC leader based on the days of the week, according to Fajardo.

“Yun din po ang sinabi sa atin. Itong particular na bata na 'to pang-Lunes, ikaw ay pang-Tuesday, ikaw ay pang-Wednesday. At paulit-ulit, not once, not twice,” she added.

(That's what we were told. This particular child is for Monday, another is for Tuesday, you are for Wednesday. And repeatedly, not once, not twice.)

'Angels of death'

According to Fajardo, the victims said they were warned that if they tell anyone about their sexual activities with Quiboloy, they will be hunted by so-called “angels of death.”

“They are being threatened na kapag sila ay i-break nila ang code of secrecy at sabihin nila kaninuman yung kanilang naranasan sa kamay po ni Apollo Quiboloy ay iha-hunt sila ng ‘angels of death’,” she said.

(They are being threatened that if they break the code of secrecy and tell anyone what they experienced at the hands of Apollo Quiboloy, they will be hunted by the “angels of death”.)

“Well, hindi natin alam kung ito bang ‘angels of death’ ay literally mga sinasabing goons ni Quiboloy or just a figurative speech na sinasabi para takutin ang mga bata. Kasama po yan sa ginagawa po nating imbestigasyon, she added.

(Well, we don't know if these ‘angels of death’ are literally Quiboloy's alleged goons or just a figurative speech meant to scare children. That is part of what we are investigating.)

In a separate statement on Wednesday, Davao City Police chief Police Colonel Hansel Marantan said authorities have interviewed five young girls who were allegedly raped by Quiboloy.

“All members of the pastoral community, and in unison, while in tears, they said that the named pastor sexually molested them,” Marantan said.

“He raped them when they were as young as 13 years old and threatened them with the ‘angels of death’ if they broke the code of secrecy,” he added.

According to Marantan, the supposed victims said they previously did not trust law enforcement agencies because they noticed that even police and military personnel were afraid of Quiboloy and the KOJC.

“These young girls did not trust the law enforcement agencies that were supposed to help them because they observed that the PNP and AFP are afraid of Pastor Quiboloy and his ministry,” he said.

“If we do not act and remain passive despite the reports of women being taken advantage of, it is as if we are allowing our future to be exploited,” Marantan added.

Lawyer: Cases will be dismissed

In an interview, Quiboloy’s legal counsel Atty. Mark Tolentino told reporters that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

“Anong nangyari four years na dismissed itong kaso based on  probable cause, dismissed (What happened four years ago, this case was dismissed based on probable cause, dismissed),” Tolentino said.

“Ngayon pa na sabi ng Department of Justice na hindi lang probable cause ang kailangan. Kailangan nila ng prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction  So we’re very optimistic na ma-dismiss,” he added.

(Even now the Department of Justice said that probable cause is not the only thing that is needed. They need prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction so we’re very optimistic it will be dismissed.)

GMA News Online has also sought comment from KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon about the accounts of the supposed victims but he has yet to provide a statement as of this story’s posting time. GNO will add their response once it is available.

With the arrest of Quiboloy and his other co-accused, the PNP said they are expecting that more victims will surface.

Quiboloy and others are set to physically attend an arraignment in Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159 on Friday morning and virtually in Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch Friday afternoon.

Cases of qualified trafficking in persons were filed against Quiboloy and others before the Pasig Court, a non-bailable offense.

The child abuse cases were filed against the accused in a Quezon City court.

According to Fajardo, the PNP has not monitored any security threat for the arraignment of Quiboloy at the Pasig court on Friday.

“We don't want to give specifics as to the manner how he will be ushered out of Camp Crame en route to Pasig because that is a security matter,” she said.

“But definitely may convoy po na lalabas at e-escort-an sila papunta sa Pasig. This is precisely the reason why this early we are coordinating with the Pasig RTC para at least alam nila what to expect,” she added.

(But definitely there will be a convoy that will proceed and will be under escort to Pasig. This is precisely the reason why this early we are coordinating with the Pasig RTC so that at least they know what to expect.)

The PNP is anticipating Quiboloy supporters and members of the media will wait for the accused at the court premises.—RF, GMA Integrated News