By IVY TEJANO
DAVAO CITY – The legal counsel of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Friday questioned the late declaration of the arrest of Paulene Canada, one of the pastor’s co-accused in the case.
CANADA (Mark Balmores)
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, confirmed in a press conference on July 12 the arrest of Canada.
Canada was arrested on Thursday through a police joint operation in a house at Emily Homes Subdivision in Cabantian in Davao City at 1 p.m.
KOJC legal counsel Israelito Torreon, in a press conference, questioned what she was doing for 10 to 11 hours after the police arrested her at 1 p.m. Her arrest was reported at around 11 p.m.
He emphasized Section 4 of Republic Act 7438 or Custodial Investigation which states that any arresting officer or investigating officer who does not inform an arrested or detained person of their right to remain silent and have a lawyer of their choice will face penalty.
“If we are not given access, it is always denied, it will result in a penalty of imprisonment for eight years but not more than 10 years or both. Another one is perpetual absolute disqualification and four years of imprisonment,” Torreon said.
Torreon and the rest of their guests, including KOJC legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio and Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) anchor Lorraine Badoy, learned about her arrest while on the set of the conference from a local news outlet.
Abalos revealed the information during a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday morning, where a woman, covered in a somewhat tube skirt, confirmed her identity as Paulene Canada following a question from the national media.
The DILG Secretary said an anonymous caller contacted the Police Regional Office-Davao Regional Investigation and Detection and Detective Management Division Office on July 9 at around 9:30 a.m. reporting about a woman resembling the wanted poster with a P1-million reward.
"Unexpectedly, before receiving the call, the PNP intelligence operatives and other government agencies were already conducting an operation and intensive surveillance at Emily Homes. Due to this, Paulene Canada was apprehended," Abalos said.
Contrary to reports that Paulene was brought to the Buhangin Police Station here, the KOJC legal counsel confirmed there was no Paulene Canada detained when they visited the police station at around 1:30 a.m. on Friday.
Torreon said they also visited the PRO-Davao office, which denied that Canada was in their custody. He added that they are concerned for her safety because she was not allowed to speak with or see her lawyer, a right of any arrested individual under Republic Act 7438.
“Under the Republic Act 7438, a person who is detained shall always be assisted by her lawyer. Ma’am (Paulene) texted me upon her arrest. When I contacted her, she’s no longer answering,” Torreon said, adding that he submitted a formal letter at the PRO-Davao to discuss the matter.
The PRO-Davao and Davao City Police Office refused to comment on the matter. Both offices said only authorized officers from the PNP headquarters could speak about her arrest. The Manila Bulletin tried to reach the PNP, but no one answered.
Aside from Quiboloy and Canada, their associates Jackielyn Roy, Cresente and Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes also face a child abuse case. The pastor, meanwhile, faces a separate sexual abuse charge. There’s also an arrest warrant against them for the non-bailable offense of human trafficking pending before a Pasig City court.
Quiboloy is also sought in the United States for sex trafficking. He was charged by a federal grand jury in a US District Court in Santa Ana, California, in 2021 and has since been added to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list.
Authorities are offering P10 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of Quiboloy who allegedly went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him for serious criminal offenses, and P1 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of his co-accused.