September 25, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A person claiming to be a former member of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC)’s so-called “angels of death” is being considered as a state witness, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy has been charged with qualified human trafficking and child abuse. He earlier requested house arrest due to health concerns.
The alleged former member, who is under police custody, told investigators the “angels of death” were used by Quiboloy to threaten girls he sexually abused.
Quiboloy is detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center. Charges were filed before Quezon City and Pasig courts.
History of the angels of death and its alleged members are being probed, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco told reporters yesterday.
Authorities are also investigating members of the civilian armed force geographical unit, based near the KOJC compound and Quiboloy’s Prayer Mountain in Barangay Tamayong in Davao City.
Inciting to sedition charges are being finalized by the CIDG against suspects who helped Quiboloy evade arrest for months.
An obstruction of justice complaint is also being prepared by the Davao police, Francisco said.
House arrest
Meanwhile, the PNP is waiting for the court’s decision on Quiboloy’s request for house arrest.
Official medical findings on Quiboloy have been received by the PNP Health Service and will be submitted to the court, PNP chief information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said on Monday.
It is up to the court to decide if Quiboloy should remain under PNP custody or be transferred to the Pasig City jail, Fajardo noted.
“We expect the court will issue a court order based on these findings,” Fajardo said at a media briefing at Camp Crame.
New witnesses have come forward to corroborate alleged victims’ statements that KOJC members threatened their lives if they disclosed information, Fajardo said.
“We are backtracking and validating these reports to determine if they have some semblance of truth,” she said.
The probe aims to validate reported incidents involving former KOJC members targeted for breaking the group’s “code of secrecy,” Fajardo said. — Mark Ernest Villeza
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