‘INNOCENT’
CAPTURED Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and his four co-accused on Friday pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges when they were arraigned before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159.
Escorted by heavily-armed officers from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, Quiboloy was made to wear a bullet-proof vest and a protective helmet when transported to the court around 7:18 in the morning.
He also asked the PNP leadership to allow him to cover his face ahead of his arraignment, said PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo.
“‘Yun ang ni-request nila. ]Pinagbigyan po natin. Ang importante we can assure you sila naman talaga ito. We cannot risk earning the ire of the judge if we will be bringing different person in their sala,” the official said.
Quiboloy was wearing dark eyeglasses and a mask. His handcuffs were removed and also his mask so the judge could see his face.
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder has been accused of trafficking female KOJC members, some of them as young as 12-years old.
According to Fajardo, it would be up to the court to decide if Quiboloy and his co-accused will be required to attend every hearing on the trafficking case.
Col. Fajardo also said that Quiboloy will remain at the PNP Custodial Center unless ordered by the court to be locked-up in another facility outside Camp Crame.
