CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), invoked his right to remain silent at least four times during a tense Senate inquiry on Wednesday, October 23, as questions confronted him over mounting allegations of abuse within his controversial religious empire.

For the first time since the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality began its inquiry into the KOJC earlier this year, a weary-looking Quiboloy appeared in person to confront his accusers. 

This time, the anonymity of his accusers, except for one woman, was stripped away — no face masks, no pseudonyms — as former followers of the preacher publicly detailed their experiences of alleged exploitation and abuse.

The hearing was a key moment in a months-long investigation that has rocked the foundations of Quiboloy’s religious organization. His presence added a new layer of tension to the livestreamed proceedings, as allegations against him reached a boiling point.

The self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” had no choice but to face senators who had sought his arrest after he repeatedly snubbed the committee’s summons. This time, he was under police custody more than a month after his arrest in Davao City on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, child abuse, and qualified trafficking filed in Quezon City and Pasig courts.

Under intense questioning, Quiboloy categorically denied accusations of sexual abuse involving female workers known as “pastorals” — assistants who reportedly served him not just with menial tasks, but with what some claimed were coerced “body sacrifices” under the guise of religious devotion. Some of these women, his accusers said, were underage.

Facing a litany of serious claims, Quiboloy rejected allegations that KOJC workers were subjected to torture, forced labor, or made to beg on the streets as part of the church’s operations. 

He also brushed off accusations about the so-called “angels of death,” a private armed group allegedly under his command, which former members claimed, carried out killings in the preacher’s name. 

He said the term “angels of death” was an “imbento” (fabrication) by his accusers, but then he invoked his right against self-incrimination when he was asked about the alleged training of an armed group linked to him.

Quiboloy offered little in the way of concrete explanations. His statements, often general and evasive, left critical questions from the Senate panel hanging. 

File criminal complaints

When pressed by Senator Risa Hontiveros on whether he had abused his religious influence to prey on women and children, Quiboloy’s reply was unyielding but formulaic: “Wala pong katotohanan ang kanilang mga sinabi. Kung meron po silang charges na criminal laban sa akin, malaya po silang mag-file ng kaso at doon ko haharapin at sasagutin sa tamang forum, sa korte ng ating lupa tulad ng kinakaharap namin ngayon.” 

(There is no truth to what they are saying. If they have a criminal complaint against me, they are free to file it, and I will face it in the proper forum, in the court of our land, just as we are doing now.)

His strategy became clear as the hearing progressed: repeat the same line, offering no specifics. Allegations of forced labor, torture, and extreme fasting as punishment, claims raised by former KOJC members, were all met with broad denials. 

“Hindi po. Wala pong katotohanan iyan (No, that’s not true),” Quiboloy responded to allegations that KOJC workers were forced to beg.

However, when the questions touched on other sensitive matters — such as accusations of marriage fraud, where KOJC allegedly arranged marriages to keep workers abroad raising funds, or claims that a child under his care had been groomed to become one of his pastorals — Quiboloy fell silent, invoking his right not to incriminate himself.

Speaking to reporters after the Senate committee adjourned the hearing, Quiboloy said he would only answer the allegations against him in court.

He expressed disappointment over the way it was conducted, saying it was trial by publicity.

He said Hontiveros’ committee did not tackle the 16-day standoff at the KOJC compound in Davao in September, where he alleged that human rights abuses were committed by authorities against his followers. – with reports from Bonz Magsambol/Rappler.com