Quiboloy should answer to exploited OFWs: Hontiveros

DAVAO CITY - Senator Risa Hontiveros said that controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who stands accused of rape, human trafficking, sexual violence, and child abuse, should now also answer to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) whose salaries were allegedly forcibly taken as donations for himself and his religious group, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

During a recent Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality hearing, the senator presented Reynita Fernandez, an OFW based in Singapore, who divulged that she and other domestic workers were pressured and harassed into giving 90% of their salaries to Quiboloy.

"Araw-gabi kumayod ang mga OFW, tapos imbes na mapunta sa pamilya nila ang pinagtrabahuan nila, pilit silang hinuhuthutan ni Quiboloy. Di na nga nakukuha ang sweldo nila, pinagbebenta pa sila ng kung ano-ano para lang maka pagremit, hindi sa kanilang pamilya kundi sa Kingdom," Hontiveros said.

"Si Reynita, nawalan ng bahay, dahil sa kakabigay ng buong salary niya, at sigurado hindi lang siya ang OFW na nabiktima. We call our OFWs our modern-day heroes, yet we are failing to protect them from fraudsters like Quiboloy. Sana magkaisa ang Senado para mabigyan ang ating mga kababayan ng hustisya," the senator added.

Hontiveros has cited the KOJC leader in contempt because of failing to show up even after a subpoena was issued. However, Quiboloy's counsel, through a letter, said that his client refuses to honor the subpoena as he is invoking his right against self-incrimination.

"The invocation of the right against self-incrimination must be made by a witness actually present and on a per question basis. This has been settled by the Supreme Court. Sa madaling salita, kailangan niya parin magpakita sa Senado. Ang bibigat na ng mga paratang sa kanya, pero hindi parin siya nagpapakita. Why is he hiding? Why is he so afraid? Takot ba siyang hindi niya madepensahan ng maayos ang mga inaakusa sa kanya?" Hontiveros asked.

"More and more victim-survivors have reached out to my office to share the horrific abuses they experienced as members of KOJC. I call on my colleagues in the Senate to actually listen to these victim-survivors. Sigurado ako na kapag mapakinggan nila ang mga karanasan ng mga dating miyembro ni Quiboloy, walang mag-aatubiling manindigan para sa katarungan," the senator added.

Charges

Just this month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges against 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.

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)