Self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy pled not guilty to charges of qualified human trafficking, his lawyer said on Friday.
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) legal counsel Israelito Torreon said the preacher and four co-accused entered the plea during their arraignment at the Pasig City Regional Trial Court branch 159 but refused to give further details.
“He pled not guilty. We have no further statement because the case is already in court. We already pled not guilty,” he told reporters in Filipino after the proceedings.
A heavily guarded Quiboloy wearing body armor and a Kevlar helmet arrived for his day in court.
When journalists asked him if he had a message to his followers, he muttered, “tatag lang, tatag lang (stay strong, stay strong).”
Quiboloy will remain detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City pending action on his lawyer’s request that he be subjected to a physical checkup by government doctors.
The KOJC founder’s lawyer petitioned the court that he, along with co-accused Ingrid Canada, be transferred to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Davao City due to their existing health problems.
However, RTC Branch 159 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa ordered that Quiboloy’s co-accused; Cresente Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemañes be detained at the Pasig City Jail.
Meanwhile, of the five individuals who recently came forward to accuse Quiboloy of sexual abuse, two have agreed to tell the court about their ordeal.
“Out of the five, the two really decided to testify. The three are still thinking about it,” Davao City Police chief Colonel Hansel Marantan disclosed in an interview on Super Radyo DZBB.
“We cannot force them because by forcing them they might be reminded of Quiboloy’s abuse,” he said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
Marantan said that the police will continue to reach out to the undecided victims with the help of experts who can deal with their psychological trauma.
The police official added that Quiboloy, who also referred to himself the “Owner of the Universe,” used minors as young as 12-years-old as “sex slaves.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Quiboloy camp files motion for hospital arrest in Davao City.”
