The Philippine National Police already has an initial list of names of suspected members of the so-called “Angels of Death” – the moniker given to the alleged private army of jailed pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“Angels of Death is not just figurative speech. These people exist and we already have identified names. What is certain is that these Angels of Death are real and were used to scare victims,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.
She said PRO 11 chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed the initial list of names of the “Angels” who were used to threaten victims, especially minors, if they break the code of secrecy on the abuse they have suffered.
Fajardo said they are also looking into reports that some Army reservists and militiamen who served as Quiboloy’s bodyguards were allegedly part of the armed group.
“They are a private army in the sense that they are taking orders from Apollo Quiboloy. Definitely, because they are the ones who are used to scare these children,” she added.
She said the PNP will now work on the cancellation of the gun licenses of suspected members of the “Angels of Death.”
Fajardo said the PNP, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, is also looking at launching rescue operations for other alleged victims still inside the KOJC compound.
Last week, the PNP disclosed that five individuals recently surfaced and accused Quiboloy of sexual abuse, and at least two of them are willing to testify in court about their ordeal.
Fajardo said some officials of the KOJC and their legal representatives may also face obstruction of justice complaints from the PNP.
“Definitely, we have identified KOJC officers, including some legal representatives, who were very vocal in saying from the start that Pastor Quiboloy is no longer inside the compound,” she said.
The PNP, she said, formed a special investigation team led by the CIDG to focus on running after Quiboloy’s coddlers.
Quiboloy is accused of sexually abusing women and children as well as trafficking in persons, both in the Philippines and the United States.
The KOJC founder pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when presented before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court 159 on Friday.
Lawmakers earlier said former President Rodrigo Duterte may be charged for allegedly harboring Quiboloy.
“Being the administrator of Pastor Quiboloy’s estate, specifically the KOJC in Davao City where the evangelist was arrested, makes him (Duterte) liable under the law – at the very least for harboring a fugitive,” House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon said.
“The former president can – I think – fit in the definition of an accomplice,” added Bongalan, a lawyer by profession.
In July, Duterte said he knew where Quiboloy was hiding, but would not disclose it.
“If the question is, ‘Where is the pastor?’ I know where, but it’s a secret. He does not want to surrender. So don’t surrender,” Duterte added.
