Hontiveros: Quiboloy probe concluded with appearance of 'Arrested Son of God'

The Senate Committee on Women, Children and Gender Equality has wrapped up the investigation into the alleged abuses of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy and his group.

That's according to panel chair Risa Hontiveros in an interview on Unang Balita on Thursday. 

“Matapos ‘yung napakaraming drama niya, sa wakas naipaharap din siya sa Senado. Dahil sa pag-umpisa natin ng imbestigasyon, ‘yung appointed Son of God, arrested Son of God na,” Hontiveros said.

(After all his many dramas, he was finally presented to the Senate. Because of the investigation, the appointed "Son of God" is now an "arrested Son of God.") 

The panel had been conducting the investigation in aid of legislation to determine whether the country's updated human trafficking laws are able to cover large-scale and systemic acts of trafficking done under the cover of a religious organization.

On Wednesday, Quiboloy was brought to the Senate from the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City to face the hearing for the first time. 

“‘Yung resumption of hearing namin kahapon, ‘yan na lang ang huli. Dahil sa loob ng pitong buwan, ‘yung pagpapakita na lang ni Quiboloy ang hinihintay namin eh,” Hontiveros said. 

(The resumption of the hearing yesterday was the last one. Because after seven months, the only thing we were waiting for was Quiboloy to appear in the hearing.) 

“Huli na ‘yan at amin nang in-adjourn. Kumpleto na kumbaga ang cast of characters kahapon—si Quiboloy mismo, ‘yung co-accused niya, ‘yung ilan sa mga dating victim-survivors namin at ilang mga bago rin,” she added. 

(That’s the last one, and we have already adjourned. The cast of characters was already complete yesterday—Quiboloy himself, his co-accused, some of our former victim survivors, and some new ones as well.) 

Accusations

During the hearing, accusers said that the sexual abuse of Quiboloy, as well as death threats to those women who refuse to give in to his pleasure, are undeniable.

The PNP in Davao City also said that Quiboloy has sexually abused 200 women over the years.

According to Davao police chief Police Colonel Hansel Marantan, the pastor “aimed to acquire 1,000 women anchored on the biblical story of Solomon, King of Israel, who had 700 wives and 300 concubines.”

Quiboloy, in return, denied the sexual abuse allegations, urging those implicating him to file a case against him. 

“Wala pong katotohanan iyong kanilang mga sinabi. Maaari po sila mag-file ng kaso. Haharapin ko po sa tamang forum, sa korte,” he said.

(There is no truth to what they said. They may file a case. I will face the charges in the right forum, in court.)

Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News