MANILA, Philippines – Citing initial findings, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday, October 23, that doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy may have sexually abused around 200 women.
Davao City PNP chief Hansel Marantan revealed this during the Senate probe into alleged human rights abuses committed by Quiboloy in his church, Kingdom of Jesus Chrisrt (KOJC). Quiboloy faced the Senate for the first time since the panel of Senator Risa Hontiveros launched the probe seven months ago.
“[Quiboloy] is believed to have victimized around 200 women,” he said. “Currently, the PNP identified 68 female personalities, of different ages, who were victims of Quiboloy’s sexual exploitation,” Marantan added.
Marantan said that Quiboloy allegedly “capitalized” on angels of death to sow fear among his pastorals, who were the privileged and attractive women who performed special tasks and do numerous errands for the pastor as supposed forms of service to God.
Angels of death were allegedly formed to threaten those who violated the secrecy of Quiboloy’s acts, including sexual exploitation. Quiboloy reportedly “handpicked” the members of the angels of death, particularly those with military training.
The PNP is still investigating its existence, with Quiboloy saying it was a fabrication by his accusers.
Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Nicolas Torre III said the PNP has already extended its probe outside the country, as Marantan did interviews in Europe, particularly in Austria.
“The investigation is not limited to the Philippines now. We have sent agents as far as Austria to conduct investigations,” he said.
The doomsday preacher, as expected, rejected allegations of abuse, denying that KOJC workers were subjected to torture, forced labor, or made to beg on the streets as part of the church’s operations.
Quiboloy has been in the custody of the PNP since September 8, following weeks of extensive operations at the KOJC compound in Davao City. His arrest was the culmination of months of planning, highlighted by a two-week standoff between the police and Quiboloy’s supporters.
He faces charges of sexual abuse of a minor and child abuse. Quiboloy is also wanted in the US for sex trafficking. He recently filed his certificate of candidacy for the 2025 Senate race. – Rappler.com