No escape for the 'appointed son of god' and 'owner of the universe'
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges against the controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his co- respondents for qualified human trafficking and other acts of child abuse.
In a decisive move, 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 DOJ Secretary Jesus Remulla.
He said the ruling underscores the commitment to ensuring
justice and upholding the rights and protection of minors against abuse and
exploitation. Remulla said the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City is
directed to file the appropriate charges in court against the respondents
accordingly.
“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.
Justice
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)
