Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” and founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, has vehemently denied new allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Reuters reports.
The accusations were made by former church members who detailed their harrowing experiences under Quiboloy’s leadership.
Quiboloy, who is currently facing criminal charges in the US for sex trafficking, was confronted with accusations of grooming children for sex, forcing a teenager to abandon school to sell food for church funds, and compelling workers to disregard government regulations while working long hours to construct a building for his media company. He refuted these claims and challenged the accusers to file charges.
One of the most poignant testimonies came from Teresita Valdehueza, who detailed her alleged sexual abuse by Quiboloy after 19 years of membership in the church. Valdehueza, fighting back tears, recounted how she was forced into solitude and a seven-month fast as “punishment for her sins” after resisting Quiboloy’s advances.
Yulya Tartova, another former member from Ukraine, also accused Quiboloy of coercing her into sexual acts. Tartova described being threatened with “eternal damnation” and physical abuse if she refused to comply.
Quiboloy’s arrest last month following a massive police raid on his Davao compound has further escalated tensions between the Duterte family and the current administration. Former President Rodrigo Duterte, a longtime friend of Quiboloy, has condemned the arrest, claiming it was a case of “abuse of power.”
The Senate hearing has provided a platform for former members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to share their experiences and shed light on the alleged abusive practices within the church.
