MANILA — A Pasig City court has denied the bail petitions of controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and five of his co-accused in the qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse case lodged against them.
In a 23-page ruling dated July 20, Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 rejected the bail pleas of Quiboloy, Sylvia Cemañes, Paulene Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, and Ingrid Canada.
“At this juncture, the prosecution has sufficiently shown that the evidence of guilt against all the accused is strong on the crimes of qualified human trafficking committed by a syndicate,” the court stated.
“Thus, given these pieces of evidence against all the accused at this point which establish a great presumption of guilt for purposes of bail, the Court must deny their petition for bail,” it added.
The court stressed, however, that the ruling is limited to the bail petition and should not be construed as a judgment on the merits of the case.
“It must be emphasized that the Court does not try the merits or enter into an inquiry as to the weight that ought to be given the evidence against the accused, nor will it speculate on the outcome of the trial or on what further evidence may be offered therein,” it explained.
The complaint stemmed from allegations that the victim and her sister were recruited into KOJC in 2011 and later subjected to sexual exploitation through what was referred to as the group’s “bodily connection ministry.” They were also allegedly forced to sell food products under the guise of a “spiritual obligation.”
Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act (RA) 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended. He is also charged with violating Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, in a separate case filed before a Quezon City court./PN
