MANILA – Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his four co-accused have pleaded not guilty to qualified human trafficking charges before a Pasig City court.
Aside from Quiboloy, other respondents in the qualified human trafficking case are Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemane.
Quiboloy’s legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon said his client made the not guilty plea during the arraignment on Friday as he is innocent from the allegations.
“Wala siyang kasalanan eh kaya sila nag-not guilty, ‘yun lang,” Torreon told the media waiting outside the Pasig court. “Wala kaming statement kasi ang kaso nasa korte na.”
Quiboloy’s qualified trafficking charges, being handled by the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159, are non-bailable.
He also has a pending charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 106.
Aside from his cases in the Philippines, Quiboloy is also facing charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling in the United States.
Quiboloy surrendered to authorities at the KOJC Compound in Davao City on Sunday evening after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.
Quiboloy and the others have been detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center inside Camp Crame in Quezon City following their surrender. They have previously denied the charges against them./PN
