By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Alleged victims of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, and child abuse linked to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ recently collaborated with Senator Risa Hontiveros in a press conference to expose and share their experiences.
“Last night, we formally urged the Senate to investigate the cases of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, and child abuse filed by numerous victims against Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ,” stated Hontiveros.
“This is not mere gossip. What we hold against Quiboloy are the testimonies of the victims,” she emphasized.
Jackson, a pseudonym used for an alleged victim of Quiboloy, disclosed that they were lured into joining a youth camp and later coerced into soliciting funds.
“I was carried away; we were on a bus, mostly young people, often underage. I was 15 years old. We solicited in Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, the entire Misamis Occidental, and the whole Misamis Oriental,” he recounted.
“We were many at the age of 15, my peers and I.”
He went on to share an incident where he was slapped when he could only remit P300, his lowest contribution to the minister.
“For us in full-time service, you’re there inside [the Kingdom of Jesus Christ] your whole life. The worst part is the beating. In 2000, I can’t forget, more than 50 were beaten in the gym,” added Jackson.
Another victim, Arlene, narrated how she was compelled to sell products and beg for alms.
“I was 15 years old when I first converted to Quiboloy. We were sent to Amoranto to beg. We were sent from Davao to Manila for begging. The first place my sister and I stayed in was the Amoranto Colosseum in Cubao in 1991. We pretended to be mute and deaf, fake students carrying various associations to raise money,” shared Arlene.
(ai/mnm)
