Apollo Quiboloy pleads not guilty to a qualified human trafficking charge before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Friday, September 13, 2024. Quiboloy and his subordinates were captured in Davao City on September 8. Photo from DILG Sec. Abalos/FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Self-appointed 鈥淪on of God鈥� Apollo Quiboloy pleaded not guilty to a qualified human trafficking charge before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Friday.
The embattled founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) appeared before the court for the first time for his arraignment and pre-trial.
鈥淣ag plea siya ng not guilty. (He pleaded not guilty),鈥� said Quiboloy鈥檚 legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon in a brief ambush interview.
Asked why his client pleaded not guilty, he replied: 鈥淲ala siyang kasalanan eh, shempre. 鈥榊un lang. (He has no fault, of course. That鈥檚 all.)
搁贰础顿:听Qualified trafficking vs Apollo Quiboloy: Explainer
Quiboloy is facing nonbailable qualified human trafficking charges under Section 4(a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended. The case was filed at the Pasig City RTC Branch 159 in April.
Other accused were Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cema帽es 鈥� who all likewise entered a not guilty plea during their arraignment.
READ: Apollo Quiboloy at Pasig court for arraignment
The sect leader is currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City following his arrest in the KJC compound in Davao City last Sunday, September 8.
Quiboloy and the other respondents surrendered after the PNP鈥檚 24-hour 鈥渦ltimatum,鈥� PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.