Senator finds Quiboloy denials ‘unbelievable’

MANILA, Philippines — For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the “blanket denials” by detained alleged sex offender pastor Apollo Quiboloy that he raped women and children for their spiritual salvation were plainly unbelievable.

Hontiveros said Quiboloy merely invoked his right against self-incrimination, when confronted by his victims and former followers with allegations that he took advantage of them to satisfy his lust and raise funds for his lavish lifestyle as head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) that he founded.

After months in hiding, Quiboloy was arrested and made to attend a hearing of the Senate committee on women and children last Oct. 23, where he denied forcing members into servitude.

“He called it a sham Senate investigation, and yet when he was given a chance to confront our brave victim survivors, he only invoked his right to remain silent,” Hontiveros told The STAR’s online show “Truth on the Line,” launched on Oct. 31.

“He did not grab the chance to answer the allegations of a pattern of sexual abuse inflicted on the victim survivors. With the sheer number of witnesses, it is difficult to believe Quiboloy’s blanket denials,” Hontiveros added.

At the hearing, former KOJC logistics officer Teresita Valdehueza and a Ukrainian woman Yulya Voronina came out saying they were raped by Quiboloy, who told them they should sacrifice their bodies to the “appointed Son of God.”

Hontiveros’ Senate committee investigation had exposed Quiboloy’s alleged abuse of “pastoral” women – some minors – whom he lured with assurances of spiritual salvation so he could have sex with them.

Hontiveros said the Senate hearings could be used to strengthen child protection laws in the country, known as a hotspot for trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

The senator had wanted to craft a bill that would penalize sexual abuses in the guise of religious freedom, such as in the case of accused Surigao cult leader Jey Rence “Senyor Aguila” Quilario, whose alleged rape and forced marriages of children were investigated by the Senate last year.

“Our investigations are in aid of legislation. In the case of religious cults, this should not be seen as a violation