Manila: Three more women, two Ukrainians and a Filipina, testified during a Senate hearing about alleged sexual abuses made by Filipino Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” and leader Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), a religious sect based in Mindanao, in southern Philippines.
The pastor is also wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) after an arrest warrant was issued by a US court following his indictment by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy, 73, is a close friend and known supporter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
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Senate hearing
On Tuesday, several former members of the KOJC who were allegedly exploited by Quiboloy appeared before a Senate committee inquiry to shed light on the alleged offences linked to Quiboloy and the KOJC sect. Quiboloy has repeatedly ignored the Senate's invitations.
Led by the Committee on Women and Children, the Senate probe aims to uncover the truth about the reported crimes within the organisation. Prompted by Senator Riza Hontiveros' Senate Resolution No. 884 and her privilege speech, the inquiry focuses on ongoing offences involving the abuse of women and children within KOJC.
Additionally, allegations include sexual abuse by Quiboloy on a minor, along with revelations about his wealth accumulation and concealment methods by preachers.
Besides sexual assaults, the victims also reported physical assaults, including beatings, lashings, and injuries from being forcefully slammed into walls.
Hontiveros said the offences may extend beyond the Philippines, suggesting an “international dimension” to Quiboloy's supposed criminal activities.
Wanted by FBI
The FBI website lists Quiboloy among its most wanted "for his alleged participation in a labour trafficking scheme that brought church members to the US, via fraudulently-obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the US year-round."
Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty.”
On November 10, 2021, a US federal warrant was issued for his arrest.
‘Pastorals’
The inquiry has brought attention to the existence of so-called “pastorals” within KOJC – which meant allegedly performing personal tasks, including sexual acts for Quiboloy, with some being minors, according to those who testified.
On a number of occasions, a Senate committee had invited Quiboloy to clarify the matter of alleged offences within KOJC, but he never turned up.
Now the Senate has issued a subpoena against Quiboloy, a close friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Testimonies of 'Nina', 'Sofia' and 'Amanda'
Local media reported that “Nina”, one of the two Ukrainians, revealed that the exploitation occurred during what they referred to as “night duty”.
“It’s called night duty... I was like praying that he will just be sleeping and not touching me,” said Nina.
Another Ukrainian, referred to as “Sofia”, was told to offer even her body, the Senate committee heard.
“I leave my job, I leave my school, I leave my friends and my parents... and they were just like, ‘even your body you can sacrifice’,” she said.
A Filipina former KOJC member, identified as “Amanda”, claimed she was only 17 when Quiboloy allegedly exploited her.
“They said it’s part of the ministry of the pastorals to massage Quiboloy. They said it’s a special privilege because not everyone can touch or get close to the son of God. I just had to give myself,” Amanda told the committee. Amanda also mentioned other underage "victims".
Threats
Due to her allegations, Amanda claimed to have received threats and was charged with cyberlibel. Another former KOJC member, known as “Jerome”, alleged that various items were sold, and all earnings were remitted to Quiboloy.
They were reportedly prohibited from courtship and watching movies. Disobeying led to punishments when caught.
“He called us. He put the phone on speaker, and he told us to bang our heads until they bleed. I felt like I was going to die or go blind because there was still chili in my eyes and mouth,” Jerome recounted.
Quiboloy did not attend the hearing but made statements on his programme, labelling the women as “prostitutes”.
The committee issued a subpoena to compel him to appear before the Senate. Quiboloy's lawyer was present at the hearing but was not allowed to speak as the accusations were deemed personal, requiring the accused to respond. Attempts by local media to get a comment from Quiboloy's camp were unsuccessful, according to the report.
