Pastor Apollo Quiboloy pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Friday, September 13. His lawyer, Israelito Torreon, confirmed the news in an ambush interview with reporters outside the court.
“Not guilty ang kanyang plea,” Torreon said. “Wala siyang kasalanan eh, ‘yun lang.”
Torreon then refused to give a statement, saying the case was already under the court’s jurisdiction.
“Wala kaming statement kasi ang kaso nasa korte na,” Torreon said.
Also Read: Police Attempt to Arrest Apollo Quiboloy, Leading to a Standoff
Apollo Quiboloy, the founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), appeared before the court for the first time for his arraignment and pre-trial. He arrived around 7:40 AM, wearing a protective helmet, bulletproof vest, face mask, and sunglasses.
When reporters asked him if he had any messages for his followers, he simply said, “Tag lang, tag lang.”
Before his arrest, Apollo Quiboloy dodged Philippine authorities for several months, and arrest warrants from Pasig and Davao City courts were issued in April.
Also Read: Apollo Quiboloy surrendered after weeks of Manhunt
Pastor Quiboloy was finally captured when the Philippine National Police (PNP) came in drones to serve the arrest warrant at the KOJC compound in Davao City in late August. He finally surrendered to authorities on August 24 after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.
He’s facing nonbailable qualified human trafficking charges. He’s also wanted in the United States for sex trafficking, conspiracy, bulk cash smuggling, and more. Additionally, he has several sexual allegations, with victims as young as 12 years old.
To top it off, the Senate has an outstanding warrant of arrest against him because he has failed to attend numerous hearings on his alleged criminal activities.
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