The police are considering conducting a rescue operation in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City to find other alleged victims of Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “appointed Son of God” and KJC leader.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Col Jean Fajardo on Monday said there are other purported victims in the KJC compound who are afraid to come forward due to their fear of the “angels of death”, the term for Quiboloy’s alleged armed men.
“The possible rescue operation is being discussed because according to the victims, they have friends and acquaintances inside the organisation who remain in the compound and are still afraid,” said Col Fajardo in a press conference.
She added that the PNP now has the personal information of the purported victims inside the KJC compound, which was provided by the other alleged victims of Quiboloy.
Col Fajardo also appealed to the alleged victims to seek the help of those who are now outside the KJC compound.
The PNP is currently coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to handle the case.
On Sept 12, Col Fajardo revealed that the “angels of death” that Quiboloy allegedly threatened his sexual abuse victims with are not spiritual beings but armed men, based on the testimonies of his alleged victims.
Quiboloy allegedly warned the victims – some as young as 12 years old – that an “angel of death” would get them if they break the code of secrecy regarding the religious leader’s alleged sexual crimes, Col Fajardo said.
Quiboloy and his subordinates Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes were arrested on Sept 8 in the KJC compound, ending the 2,000-strong police operation there which began on Aug 24.
The four co-accused had been detained in the PNP custodial centre until Sept 13 before being transferred to Pasig City Jail.
Quiboloy, whose counsel had petitioned for a “hospital arrest”, remains in the PNP custodial centre.
One of the suspects, Paulene Canada, was the first to be arrested in July and is now detained in Pasig City Jail.
Quiboloy and the other suspects pleaded not guilty for human trafficking and child abuse cases filed before the Pasig City and Quezon City courts, respectively. — Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
