Pasig court junks Quiboloy bail petition

FILE: KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 has denied the petitions for bail filed by detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and five of his co-accused for qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse charges.

In a 23-page order dated July 20, the court denied the bail petitions filed by 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. 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,” the court said.

The court, however, said the resolution was not a prejudgment of the ongoing case against the accused.

“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 maybe offered therein,” it said.

The complainant in the case claimed that she and her sister joined the KOJC in 2011.

She positively identified the accused’s part in sexually exploiting them under the group’s so-called “bodily connection ministry,” as well as requiring them to work selling food products under the pretense of spiritual obligation.

Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act (RA) 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended.

He is also facing charges for violation of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act) with a Quezon City court.