SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday called for a Senate committee investigation into the alleged illegal activities of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJOC) under its leader, Apollo Quiboloy, including large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse.
In filing Senate Resolution No. 884, Hontiveros said the investigation is necessary to determine “whether our updated human trafficking laws are able to cover large-scale and systematic acts of trafficking done under the cover of a religious organization.”
Hontiveros said she has received numerous information indicating that Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” and leader of the KJOC, has supposedly been brainwashing and using psychological manipulation and constant threats of eternal damnation to ensure “strict obedience” from his followers.
She alleged that Quiboloy reportedly maintains a “stable of women” called “pastorals” who hold prominent positions in the organization and perform “special personal tasks and errands” for the leader.
“According to informants, the pastorals are divided into the ‘inner circle’ and the ‘inner of the innermost circle,’ with the latter category being compelled to perform acts of sexual nature, and the former category being made to perform other personal tasks such as washing his clothes, bathing him, cleaning his bedroom, and massaging him,” Hontiveros said in the resolution.
“Some of these pastorals were still minors during their recruitment and during the period they were made to perform sexual services,” she added.
