DOJ: Quiboloy to face qualified trafficking, child abuse raps

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday announced that qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases will be filed against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

In a press conference, Remulla said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has granted a petition of review, directing the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City to file a case against Quiboloy for sexual abuse of a minor in violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Meanwhile, the qualified trafficking case will be filed in a Pasig City court.

“Pinag-aralan namin nang husto at ang lumalabas talaga rito, meron talagang kailangang panagutan si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at ang kanyang mga kasama, sa isang complainant, sa isang nagrereklamo nung panahon na ‘yun ay may edad na 17 anyos nung nangyari ang krimen,” Remulla said.

(We have studied this and it revealed that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his companions really need to be held accountable to a complainant who was 17 years old when the crime happened.)

The Justice chief said that he has also signed a precautionary hold departure order against Quiboloy.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have issued subpoenas for Quiboloy after he skipped separate hearings on the alleged abuses being linked to KOJC as well as calls to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, the legal operating name of Sonshine Media Network International, the broadcast media arm of KOJC.

Quiboloy, who denied the accusations against him, earlier said he would only face the courts.—RF, GMA Integrated News