DOJ Launches Legal Proceedings Against Quiboloy
QUIBOLOY – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will order multiple charges against religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has instructed the initiation of legal proceedings against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious sect based in Davao City. S*xual abuse and qualified human trafficking cases will be filed separately in different courts.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced during a press briefing on Monday that the DOJ had accepted the petition for review from Quiboloy’s accuser, a former follower who alleges that he s*xually assaulted her. The Davao City Prosecutor’s Office has been directed to bring charges against the self-proclaimed “Son of God” for sexual abuse of a minor, as per the provisions of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
In addition to Quiboloy, five other individuals will face charges related to child abuse, cruelty, or exploitation under RA 7610.
Furthermore, qualified human trafficking charges, as outlined in Section 4(a) of RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act of 2003, will be filed in the Pasig Regional Trial Court.
“We have studied this and investigation showed that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his companions really need to be held accountable to a complainant who was 17 years old when the crime happened,” Remulla said.
“I know Pastor Quiboloy. I consider him a friend but I have to do my job. I have a duty to the Filipino people; I have to do my job,” he added.
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The Justice Secretary stated that they plan to seek the Supreme Court’s approval to transfer the trial of these cases to courts located in the National Capital Region once they are formally submitted.
“Because of problems in Davao …, there were threats being made, we will be asking the Supreme Court to transfer the cases to Manila and appoint a special panel of prosecutors to handle them,” Remulla said.
Additionally, he mentioned that he has already authorized the issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin for Quiboloy. With the formal filing of charges, the prosecutors will seek a hold departure order to ensure that he cannot depart the country.