BY FR. SHAY CULLEN
FOR MANY people, the truth is hard to accept, even painful. It can challenge even the minds and hearts of good, ordinary people.
There are those living in a dark world where the “truth” is a fantasy they create to satisfy their desire for power over others and for pleasure and riches for themselves.
The revelation of the truth is the one thing such people detest. It refutes false narratives and reveals dirty acts that harm innocent people. Wrongdoers do all they can to prevent the truth from being published, even to the point of killing the journalists revealing it.
But for hundreds of Filipino journalists dedicated to and standing for truth and human dignity, revealing the truth is worth dying for. The truth shall set us free from ignorance and corruption.
The highest number of journalists killed in a single event was recorded in November 2009, when a powerful political clan in Maguindanao had more than 30 of them massacred. Since then, an average of five journalists have been killed in the Philippines every year.
Revealing the truth is the most effective way to challenge powerful dynasties that trample on the poor and vulnerable. The power of the truth is seen when people accept and act on it, are determined to change society for the better and hope that justice can be done. That is what finally happened when Apollo Quiboloy was arrested.
Media reports — despite the threats and the cover-up over many years, as well as protection extended by powerful politicians, including former president Rodrigo Duterte — have finally revealed the crimes Quiboloy allegedly committed. He may claim to be a Christian pastor, but he was really a master of manipulation said to have exploited and sexually abused children.
During Quiboloy’s arrest at his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound near Davao City’s airport, reporters were surrounded by his followers who were harassing and threatening them. KOJC members threw water bottles at the journalists’ vehicles.
One photojournalist, Toto Lozano, was surrounded by a furious crowd as Quiboloy’s followers gathered by the hundreds to prevent their leader from being arrested. But other journalists rushed to rescue Lozano.
The most heinous crimes charged against Quiboloy and some of his helpers involved systematic child sexual abuse. He allegedly had a team of enslaved children, as young as 12, called “pastorals,” who were coerced into having sex with him. (To be continued)/PN
