Senate panel probes Quiboloy, group for trafficking, child abuse

Senate panel probes Quiboloy, group for trafficking, child abuse

MANILA, Philippines: The Senate Committee on Women and Children will hold its first public hearing today on the reported large-scale human trafficking, rape, and child abuse within the religious group led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Quiboloy was invited but it was not clear whether he would attend the hearing.

Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, committee chairman, filed Resolution 844 asking the Senate Committee on Women and Children to investigate the abuses at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC).

Hontiveros’ resolution stated that women members called “pastorals” are allegedly coerced to do household chores for Quiboloy, perform sexual acts, and beg or solicit money from strangers.

The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2022 placed Quiboloy in its “wanted list” for alleged sex trafficking charges.

Quiboloy and two of his church members were indicted in November 2021 by a federal grand jury US district court in California for “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.”

“An investigation in aid of legislation will also allow us to determine whether our updated human trafficking laws are able to cover large scale and systematic acts of trafficking done under the cover of a religious organization,” Hontiveros said.

“Considering that the crimes were committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines and considering that crimes are taking place even at present as Quiboloy remains free to run the operations of KoJC, it is imperative that an investigation be undertaken with dispatch,” she said.

She said that Quiboloy, who claims to be the “Appointed Son of God,” allegedly demands strict obedience from his followers through “brainwashing, psychological manipulation, and constant threats of eternal damnation.”

Some of the pastorals were reportedly still minors when they were recruited and performed sexual services.

“According to informants, the pastorals are divided into the ‘inner circle’ and the ‘inner of the innermost circle,’ with the second category being made to perform acts of sexual nature,” the resolution read.

The women in the inner circle were reportedly tasked to bathe and massage Quiboloy, the resolution said.

Citing informants, Hontiveros said that “those who are not able to meet their quota of monies collected find themselves severely whipped, or subjected to public humiliation.