Filipino pastor Apollo Quiboloy has pleaded not guilty on Friday on several criminal charges, including the sexual abuse of children and human trafficking.
Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church (KOJC), was arrested on Sunday alongside four co-accused in Davao after a weeks-long manhunt.
“He is innocent,” said Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, after his client’s first arraignment in Manila. When Quiboloy was being escorted by police into the courtroom, he told his followers to “stay strong.”
Joahna Paula Domingo, a lawyer for one of the alleged victims, said that “It is our firm belief that the truth regarding the alleged criminal acts of Apollo C Quiboloy and his co-accused will ultimately be disclosed,”in a statement acquired by NBC. “These cases have been filed in 2019 and we have long been seeking justice for the complainant since then.”
Quiboloy’s trial comes amidst a wave of new accusations of sexual and physical abuse facing the preacher.
In a statement acquired by the Inquirer, Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Francisco Marbil revealed that an undisclosed number of victims known as “pastorals” or personal assistants in the KOJC community have opened up with accusations of their own.
“These so-called ‘inner circle pastorals’ were particularly vulnerable, with victims as young as 12 years old. Their testimonies have been crucial in uncovering the full extent of Quiboloy’s alleged crimes,” explained Marbil. “These courageous victims have spoken up, revealing their harrowing experiences. The abuse they endured shows an alarming pattern of manipulation and exploitation.”
As mentioned by Reuters, Marbil also supported any victims suffering in silence, urging them to come forward and assured that they would be protected.
“This is just the beginning,” stated Marbil. “We will leave no stone unturned in this pursuit of justice.”
Davao police chief Colonel Hansel Marantan told radio station DZBB on Friday that two of the five alleged sex slavery victims of Quiboloy have decided to testify against him, according to GMA News.
As mentioned by Al Jazeera, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said that the victims “were allegedly told to do whatever was asked of them to “serve God,” and “the sexual favours would be their “pass to heaven.”
Quiboloy is longtime friend of Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines. He is also on the most wanted list of the FBI, over multiple crimes in the U.S., including the orchestration of a sex-trafficking operation that threatened young victims with “eternal damnation” and physical abuse, according to multiple sources. According to Reuters, Duterte has been critical of recent police efforts against Quiboloy.
Quiboloy also pleaded not-guilty to sexual abuse charges in at a Quezon City court via teleconferencing. According to GMA News, his legal team has previously denied the allegations against him. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for October. According to Reuters, he, and four of his followers, are currently being held at Camp Crame, the PNP headquaters in Quezon City.
Reuters also reported that the Filipino justice ministry recognized its extradition treaty with the U.S. this week, but stated that Quiboloy must first face trial and serve any sentence in the Philippines before any extradition request is granted.
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