MANILA – Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy has a private army dubbed “Angels of Death” who allegedly goes after those who reveal acts of his sexual abuse of members’ children, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the police are now looking into reports of the existence of the group which is part of the alleged “systematic abuse” within the religious sect.
“Natatakot yung mga nakausap natin not only for themselves, hindi lang para sa kanilang buhay, maging sa pamilya nila because ang panakot nga is yung Angels of Death. So gusto ko kuhanin itong pagkakataon na ito para panawagan sa ilang pang mga naging biktima ni Pastor Quiboloy na sinasabing minolestiya sila lalo na yung mga bata na nakaranas ng ilang tao na pangmomolestiya handa kayo proteksyunan ng gobyerno at huwag kayo matakot (Those whom we talked to fear not only for themselves, their own lives but also for their family because of the Angels of Death. So I want to take this opportunity to call on other victims of Pastor Quiboloy, those who claim they have been molested, especially the children, to come forward. The government is ready to protect you. You don’t have to fear anything),” she added.
Without giving further details, Fajardo said she was horrified over the revelations of some victims.
“Nung marinig ko yun sa isang bata na sasabihin na tatakutin kapag sinabi nanatiling intact yung kanilang pagkakababae dahil ang sabi nakipagtalik sa kanila ay espiritu ng diyos, (When I heard from a child that they are being threatened and they were told that their womanhood is intact because it was the spirit of a god who had sex with them), I don’t know how can you describe the ordeal na pinagdaanan ng mga batang ito (that these children went through), again these are all allegations,” Fajaro added.
The PNP official said the parents of these children would also be held liable once it would be proven that they lured them into being victims of the abuse by the evangelist.
She added that the children were allegedly told by the group that such acts were their “passes to heaven”.
“I don’t know how an individual can do those things sa isang bata (to a child). I cannot imagine,” she added.
Quiboloy’s legal counsel Mark Tolentino, meanwhile, denied these allegations.
He said the evangelist is “full of God’s wisdom” and tagged the accusations against him as fake.
He also appealed for Quiboloy to be given due process.
Arraignment security
Fajardo, meanwhile, said media coverage will not be allowed inside the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 for the arraignment of Quiboloy and his co-accused on qualified human trafficking charges set on Friday.
“You have to understand this case is a bit sensitive. Minors are involved that is why it is qualified human trafficking,” she said.
Fajardo also refused to give specific details on how Quiboloy and his co-accused would be ushered out of Camp Crame en route to Pasig.
She added that the PNP Headquarters Support Service and the Pasig City Police would work together to ensure tight security for the accused’s arraignment.
BJMP ready to accommodate Quiboloy
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, meanwhile, said the new Quezon City Jail in Payatas can accommodate Quiboloy once the court issues a commitment order on his detention.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, BJMP spokesperson Chief Insp. Jayrex Bustinera said that the new jail facility has enough space to welcome new prisoners with only 4,000 PDLs currently detained in the facility which can hold a capacity of 4,200 inmates.
He noted that the modern Quezon City Jail in Payatas started its operation ‘‘only in April this year.’’
Bustinera also assured there would be no special treatment for Quiboloy, who is considered a high-profile inmate.
“We also guarantee his (Quiboloy) security and safety while in BJMP custody,’’ he added. (with report from Kevin Ortiz-OJT/PNA)
