Sex Abuse, Trafficking Raps Set Versus Quiboloy

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking charges against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.

The order, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, reverses a 2020 decision of the Davao City prosecutor’s office to dismiss the charges of rape, child abuse and human trafficking against Quiboloy and five others.

Remulla said the DOJ granted the petition for review, which remained pending before the department for over four years.

In granting the petition, the DOJ directed the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City to file a case for violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically on the provision of sexual abuse of a minor. It also ordered the filing of a case for qualified trafficking before a Pasig trial court.

“We studied the case thoroughly. Quiboloy and his cohorts should be held responsible for the crime the complainant, who was 17 years old when it happened, alleged,” Remulla said at a press briefing on Monday, March 4.

Aside from ordering the filing of charges, Remulla said he would also appoint a special panel of prosecutors to focus on the case and request the Supreme Court to order the transfer of these cases to a Manila court.

According to the DOJ, the 17-year-old victim alleged a series of abuses that started in 2011 and included a rape in September 2014. The minor also alleged emotional and physical mistreatment and forced labor without compensation – all under the guise of religious service to the church Quiboloy founded.

Extradition

Remulla said the filing of charges effectively prevents Quiboloy from getting extradited to another country – particularly in the US where he faces multiple charges of sex and labor trafficking.

“We do not want them (US) to think that we are filing the cases to bar the extradition. We just thought it better to give justice to the victim here, considering that the crime happened over 10 years ago,” he explained.

Remulla earlier said the Philippines has yet to receive a request from the US to extradite Quiboloy, who is on the Most Wanted List of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Asked about the current location of Quiboloy, Remulla said he is still in the country. An immigration lookout bulletin order was issued against Quiboloy on Feb. 27 to prevent him from fleeing the country.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have issued subpoenas for Quiboloy to appear in separate hearings on the alleged abuses as well as on calls to revoke the franchise of Son-shine Media Network International, the broadcast media arm of Quiboloy’s church.

At the Liwasang Bonifacio on Monday, March 4, some supporters of Quiboloy staged a rally and called for justice. There were also reports of simultaneous rallies held in Davao, Cebu and Marikina cities.

The rallyists wore white shirts with the words “Justice for Pastor Quiboloy” and carried banners and placards that read “Stand up for Pastor Quiboloy” and “Abolish Congress.”

Salvador Panelo, chief legal counsel of the previous administration, attended the rally and claimed that Quiboloy is just “collateral damage” as the real targets of the attacks are former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.

He also claimed that Quiboloy is not a corporate official of Sonshine Media Network International and, therefore, does not need to attend the hearing against the group.

As for the criminal complaints, Panelo said the proper venue should be the courts and not Congress. – With Evelyn Macairan