DOJ files charges vs. Quiboloy, others

DAVAO CITY - The Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated legal proceedings led by by the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office against Apollo C. Quiboloy and several associates from allegations of sexual and child abuse.

DOJ Sec. Jesus Remulla, in a directive from the resolution “AAA v. Quiboloy et.al.”, issued on Mar. 5, said Quiboloy faces charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610 (Other Sexual Abuse), focusing on the protection of children against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.

Furthermore, additional charges under Section 10(a) of the same act (Other Acts of Child Abuse) have been filed against Quiboloy, along with Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes, aimed at safeguarding children’s psychological and emotional health.

The Davao City Prosecutor’s Office also endorsed a complaint for Qualified Trafficking in Persons to the DOJ main office. Pursuant to Department Order 144, the Task Force on Women and Children and Against Trafficking In Persons was directed to prepare the necessary Information against the respondents for the crime of Qualified Human Trafficking under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, pursuant to the Resolution promulgated on Mar. 5 by Remulla. This information was filed before the appropriate court in Pasig City.

“The Department of Justice is dedicated to the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our children from exploitation and abuse. This case underscores our commitment to hold accountable those who would harm our society’s most vulnerable. Let this serve as a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law,” Remulla said.

Last month, the DOJ announced it has filed charges against the controversial Quiboloy and his co- respondents for qualified human trafficking and other acts of child abuse.

Branding it a “decisive move,” the DOJ said the Petition for Review concerning the case against Quiboloy and others has been granted. The original Joint Resolution dated June 29, 2020 by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City, which dismissed the complaints for rape, qualified human trafficking, and child abuse, has been overturned after careful review.

The complainant-appellant’s allegations, which date back to 2011, highlight a series of abuses, including an act of rape in September 2014 when she was a minor, emotional and physical mistreatment, and forced labor without compensation, all under the guise of religious service at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name.

Despite the dismissal of her initial complaints and a subsequent denial of her Motion for Reconsideration, the complainant’s persistent legal battle has brought new light to the gravity of her accusations.

The DOJ said upon reevaluation, it has been determined that there exists probable cause against Quiboloy for the crime of sexual abuse of a minor, under Section 5(b) of the Republic Act No. 7610, as well as against Quiboloy and co- respondents for qualified human trafficking and other acts of child abuse.

“This petition for review has lingered unresolved for four long years. Our foremost aim is to achieve justice within the Philippines, grounded firmly on the evidence presented and the statutes of our legal system,” said Remulla.

He said the ruling underscores the commitment to ensuring justice and upholding the rights and protection of minors against abuse and exploitation. “This case represents a significant step towards addressing and rectifying injustices suffered by vulnerable members of our society, particularly children, and reinforces the legal framework protecting them from abuse and exploitation” Remulla said.

Charges hailed

Senator Riza Hontiveros welcomed the DOJ’s actions against Quiboloy, a close friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and is among over 40 individuals and entities from across nine countries sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for alleged involvement in corruption and human rights abuses.

Isang napakalaking tagumpay ito para sa bawat babaeng inalipusta at sinamantala ni Apollo Quiboloy. Maraming salamat kay SOJ Remulla for finally acting decisively on this matter. Pero mas higit na pasasalamat sa mga naglakas loob na magsalita, sa lahat ng mga tumestigo at mga patuloy na nakikipagugnayan sa opisina ko para magsiwalat ng kanilang katotohanan,” said Hontiveros.

“This is a welcome first step towards the victim-survivors' cry for justice, peace, and healing. The Senate will continue with its mandate to investigate, in aid of legislation, the decades-long abuses perpetrated by Quiboloy. We will ensure that these inquiries will result in strengthened laws for our women, our children, and the most vulnerable among us,” she added.

Additionally, it has been reported that an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order was issued against Quiboloy last 27 February 2024, as a measure to prevent him from fleeing the country.

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Quiboloy is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, 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 United States 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,” the FBI said.

It added that Quiboloy was indicted 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 and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest. (Mindanao Examiner)