Can the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” be two places at once this coming Friday the 13th?
Two courts in Metro Manila have both set the arraignment of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo C. Quiboloy this Friday, Sept. 13, at 8:30 am.
The Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 and the Quezon City RTC Branch 106 have issued separate orders directing the Philippine National Police (PNP) to produce Quiboloy and his co-accused on the same date and time.
The separate orders also instructed the PNP to bring with them his detained co-accused, namely, Cresente Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes.
Quiboloy and his co-accused are facing before the Pasig RTC a case of qualified trafficking in persons in violation of Sec. (a) of Republic Act (RA) 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
While the religious leader and his co-accused have been charged before the Quezon City RTC other acts of child abuse under Section 10(a) of RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The cases pending before the Quezon City and Pasig City courts concerns the alleged sexual abuse and trafficking in persons committed against a 17-year-old girl in 2011.
Quiboloy and his co-accused have been detained at the PNP's Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City following his arrest last Sunday, Sept. 8, in Davao City,
The case pending before the Quezon City RTC was initially filed before the Davao City RTC but the Supreme Court (SC) ordered its transfer following the pleading filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
It may have been fortunate that the SC did it may be impossible for Quiboloy to be in Davao City and Pasig City at the same time.