- Pastor Quiboloy enters plea as he faces human trafficking charge
PASTOR Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused pleaded not guilty during their arraignment for qualified human trafficking at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 on Friday, Sept. 13.
Quiboloy’s legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, confirmed the latest update to TIMES.
Quiboloy, currently in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrived at the Pasig City court before 8 a.m. for his arraignment.
A pre-trial conference is currently underway following his not-guilty plea.
The charges against Quiboloy and his companions fall under Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, a non-bailable offense.
In addition to the Pasig case, Quiboloy and the five co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Sylvia Cemañes, Cresente, Paulene, and Ingrid Canada are also set to be arraigned in a Quezon City court for sexual and child abuse cases.
These were the same cases filed in Branch 12 of the Regional Trial Court XI until the Supreme Court ordered their transfer on the petition by the Department of Justice. In justifying its ruling, the High Tribunal said Quiboloy’s stature in the local community might influence the outcome of the trials if they were held in Davao City.
It can be remembered that Quiboloy and the four other co-accused surrendered to authorities on Sept. 8 following a 16-day standoff at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound. They were immediately flown to Camp Crame in Quezon City for custody.
File Photo: Bing Gonzales
