By BenCyrus G. Ellorin
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — As the standoff at the sprawling compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOIC) in the Buhangin District in Davao City enters its fourth day, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issued a statement reaffirming its mandate to safeguard the well-being of the vulnerable members of Philippine society.
The DSWD, in a statement today, said it “cannot stay silent in the face of serious charges against Mr. Apollo Quiboloy,” who is facing cases of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse of minors.
Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, also known as PACQ, the wanted man, is a con artist who has deceived his followers into believing that he is the “appointed son of God” and “owner of the universe.”
He has amassed billions from the contributions of his followers and the forced labor of members sent to “missions” worldwide to seek donations. Many young people who are sent to these missions sell peanuts, ball pens, snack foods, or kakanins.
The charges against Quiboloy “strikes at the very core of what we stand for: Protecting those who cannot protect themselves,” added the statement from the DSWD.
The Social Welfare Department shares the pain of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has often expressed how deeply he is affected by the suffering of the innocent. The president “speaks for so many of us when he says that nothing is more painful than seeing a child in need, in pain, or left without hope. It is this same pain that drives our work at the DSWD,” the statement said.
The DSWD statement went on to say:
“It is particularly painful when public figures, who should be champions of justice and defenders of the vulnerable, seem to downplay these horrific acts or align themselves with those accused of such egregious crimes. We must never forget that behind every case are real children, real mothers, and real families who are suffering.
“The DSWD stands with these victims. We are committed to ensuring that they receive the justice they deserve and that their voices are heard. We call on all leaders to stand with us in protecting the rights of every Filipino child and to support the judicial processes that are in place to bring perpetrators to justice.
“The DSWD calls on all leaders and citizens to support the legal processes that seek to protect the innocent and bring perpetrators to justice. We stand firmly with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his commitment to creating a better future for every Filipino child, where no one is left behind or left to suffer alone.”
Armed with an arrest warrant for Quiboloy and his co-accused, over 2,000 members of the Philippine National Police led by Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III occupied the 30-hectare complex of the KOJC, which has 41 buildings early Saturday morning.
Members of the cult and their lawyers tried to prevent the law enforcers from entering their compound, but Torre, who came in full combat armor, and his men prevailed.
BGen. Torre said they will stay at the KOJC compound after combing every square inch of the haven Quiboloy. Aside from Quiboloy, his co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes are also at large.
Interestingly, the wanted con-man cum religious leader has the solid support of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his children, who are also public officials led by his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao first district congressman Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
A few hundred supporters of Quiboloy have called for people’s power, but their actions are generally confined to the Buhangin District, in the suburbs of Davao City, the Philippines’ third-largest city.
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