By BEN SERRANO
Correspondent
TANDAG City––The name of a Davao-based religious sect surfaced in the ongoing investigation into the mass food poisoning in Surigao del Sur last week.
This came about after authorities rounded up the ambulant vendors and seized the vehicle used in selling durian candies blamed for the food poisoning of over a thousand people. (see related story on page 6) Vendors told investigators they are members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), and the seized van was traced to the same religious group, said Surigao del Sur provincial police director Senior Supt. Narciso Balis Verdadero.
KJC is founded by The Rev. Apollo Quiboloy who has proclaimed himself as the “appointed son of God.” The Mitsubishi L-300 FB Deluxe bearing a plate number MEM-366, C.R No. 11783703-1 and OR No. 510926721 is registered under the name of the the executive pastor of the religious group with the address “KJC Compound, Phil-Jap Highway, Davao City.”
Verdadero said nine of 13 suspects were already caught, and four others were being sought as of Saturday afternoon. Verdadero said authorities were preparing to charge the vendors with violation of the Food Safety Act of 2013 and Consumers’ Act, and physical injuries.
Tandag Mayor Roxanne Pimentel said the local government was studying if it can press charges of attempted murder and violation of trade and industry rules and regulations against the ambulant vendors.
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