Col. Hansel Marantan, Director of Davao City Philippine National Police (PNP), strongly stated that religious leader Apollo Quiboloy is a "pedophile," after directly hearing stories from Quiboloy's victims.
In an interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Thursday, Marantan objectively narrated the alleged "violations" of Quiboloy within his religious group, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
Marantan said he had spoken to five victims who recounted through tears how they were abused. These victims are now over 18 years old, but they revealed they were molested by Quiboloy when they were as young as 13.
According to Marantan, these children, who lacked proper education, were groomed to be part of the "Pastoral," a position in which they were treated like "queens." He explained that the abuse was unknown to many KOJC members due to the group’s structure, which includes an inner and innermost circle.
"Pag nakita na sila ni Quiboloy, magaganda ang bata and we're talking 8 to 10 [year old], karamihan dito ay may mga lahi na anak ng European, American na mapuputi. They shape them [victims] to be a member of pastoral, lahat ng gustong kagamitan mayroon ka. You are living like a queen.," said Marantan.
He cited a particular case involving "Stephanie," who was raped at 12 years old and became one of Quiboloy’s "favorites." Marantan explained that Stephanie was led to believe Quiboloy was the "anointed one," and she couldn’t escape due to the presence of the so-called "Angels of Death," KOJC’s security forces.
"Gusto kong linawin na I have nothing against KOJC. Naka-focus ako sa violations ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, 'wag kayo ma-offend sa akin dahil we are fighting a person based on the testimonies that he is a pedophile," said Quiboloy.
"Ang common they were raped, sa narrative nila they were recruited. Ang mga batang ito ay minors, dinala sila sa foundation para pag-aralin. Those who are spotted that fit the standard of Quiboloy are preyed on," he added.
Marantan stated that a member could not be in the Pastoral unless they had been sexually abused by Quiboloy. Without any knowledge of the illegal acts, even parents willingly brought their children to Quiboloy, believing they would receive a good education.
"May mag-guide kung paano siya [Quiboloy] imasahe, after that kung hinog na hinog na they will execute the 'Carnal Desire'. They will pray daw first, kulto na ang ginagawa nila. Then Quiboloy will tell them to offer themselves," said Marantan.
"Sabi niya you will not be devirginized kasi it's not Pastor Quiboloy who is entering you, it's the spirit," he added.
Marantan said that when he asked the victims why they didn’t get pregnant, they told him Quiboloy had allegedly undergone a vasectomy.
Meanwhile, Marantan clarified that KOJC's actual membership was around 20,000, far from the 8 million claimed by the religious group.
"Yung 8M members na sinasabi ni Quiboloy, nasa 20,000 lang naman sila na walang alam. They percieve to be [in] faith and annointed one. They were crying while telling those stories, hanggang ngayon 'di ako makatulog," said the police chief.
For those who refuse to believe there were crimes within Quiboloy’s group, Marantan said he wouldn’t have learned KOJC’s internal terms if not because of the victims' testimonies.
On September 8, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos announced that Quiboloy had already been arrested.
He is now in the custody of the PNP Custodial Center along with his five co-accused, facing charges of qualified human trafficking and child sexual abuse.
They will be transferred to Quezon City Jail upon the order of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC).
