5 more “pastorals” complain of sexual harassment by Quiboloy

DAVAO CITY – Davao City Police Chief Col. Hansel M. Marantan said five former members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) recently came forward and reported that they were allegedly sexually abused by Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.

A heavily veiled Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is escorted during a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Monday, Sept. 9. (AP)

Marantan said in a press conference on Thursday, September 12, that the victims, who were “inner circle chaplains” before leaving the KOJC last year, approached him immediately after the Senate investigation into the police operations at the KOJC compound conducted by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on September 7 last year in support of the legislation.

He said the alleged victims – two of whom he spoke to in person and three others via video conference – cried as they recounted how they had been sexually abused at the age of 13.

“They were molded, brainwashed and indoctrinated until they accepted their fate. Pero mali 'yan (but this is wrong) under the law. Sexual harassment – no matter how minor – is tantamount to a transgression under the law,” he said.

In a press statement, Israelito Torreon, the KOJC's lead attorney, said he still had to verify the statements and identities of these alleged victims with the director of the municipal police, as he could not speculate whether these allegations were true or fabricated to “tarnish the good name and reputation” of Quiboloy.

“I pray that the PNP (Philippine National Police) will conduct the investigations into these alleged new cases carefully and professionally and not expose them to too much publicity as there is a high possibility that these alleged new plaintiffs have only been influenced by forces whose goal is not to obtain justice but to score much-needed political points,” he said.

Marantan said the victims were recruited to serve in the religious group at the age of 12 with the promise of free education, but never attended school.

“Magaganda po sila at may mga lahi po sia. Mga lahi nila Europeans and Americans, hindi ko na alam kung anong mga lahi pa (They are beautiful and they have races. Their races are Europeans and Americans, I don't know what other races there are). They are very beautiful,” he said.

Marantan said that the “carnal intercourse” with the victims were the last rites before they became “shepherds of the inner circle” who, he claimed, enjoyed more privileges than other KOJC members and lived like “queens and princesses”.

He said the alleged victims wanted to report the abuse when they left KOJC but were hesitant because they were afraid to share their experiences.

Marantan said the police will file charges against Quiboloy for violating Republic Act 7610, also known as the Act for the Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.

“Do you know what the situation of the victims is in general? They all come from broken homes. Those who met Quiboloy's standards were recruited and prepared for pastoral care and became the 'inner circle,'” he said.

Marantan said the victims chose to remain silent despite the alleged abuse because they were told that if they broke the “code of secrecy” and reported the sexual assault to the authorities, the “angels of death” would come after them “to take revenge.”

“If there is a violation, they will be sexually harassed by Quiboloy (for example, if you say that), papasok na 'yung 'Angels of Death' (the 'Angels of Death' would come in) to 'get even' and 'get even' means papatayin ka at pati 'yung mga genes line mo, 'yung mga magulang mo, mga kapatid mo (you and your family, including your parents and siblings, will be killed),” he said.

On Sunday, September 8, Quiboloy and his co-defendants Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemañes were arrested by authorities at the compound.

Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao, said Quiboloy was hiding in the ACQ College of Ministry, a Bible school inside the compound.

He said Quiboloy was taken out of the compound and boarded one of the vehicles escorted to the airport by the PNP Aviation Security Group and flown to Manila by a C-130 plane, which landed at the old Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-Davao airport in Barangay Sasa near the compound.

Quiboloy is charged with child abuse and aggravated human trafficking along with co-defendants Roy, Cresente, Paulene, Ingrid and Cemañes. Paulene was arrested on July 11 last year at her residence in Emily Homes Subdivision in Barangay Cabantian.

The suspects are the subject of two arrest warrants issued last April by the Regional Trial Court Branch 12 in Davao City and the RTC in Pasig City.

On May 28, the Second Division of the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the two criminal cases from the RTC Davao City Branch 12 to the RTC Quezon City.

The Senate ordered Quiboloy's arrest on March 19 after he was charged with ignoring an order to appear before the investigation of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.