The four co-accused of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy Jr. will be transferred to the Pasig City Jail, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed on Friday, Sept. 13.
In an interview, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera stated that the BJMP Pasig City Jail had received the commitment order from the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) 159.
Quiboloy and his co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemane are facing non-bailable offense of qualified trafficking in persons case before the Pasig City court.
A sixth co-accused, Pauleen Canada, had been collared in an intelligence-driven operation in Davao City in July.
However, Bustinera noted that the four co-accused of Quiboloy "[are] not yet in the BJMP custody."
To prepare for the "turnover custody", Bustinera pointed out that the BJMP had inspected the male and female dormitories of Pasig City Jail.
"The BJMP is prepared and on standby as of this time," he added.
Meanwhile, Quiboloy will remain in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City due to "security risk."
On the possible transfer of Quiboloy to the Quezon City Jail, Bustinera inspected the facility on orders of BJMP chief Director Ruel Rivera to ensure that there is enough space for the arrival of new PDLs.
Bustinera also stated that the modern Quezon City Jail in Payatas has "zero congestion" and can accommodate additional persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), including Quiboloy, in case the court issues the commitment order for the church leader’s detention in the said facility.
He revealed that the new Quezon City Jail has enough space to welcome new prisoners with only 4,000 PDLs currently detained in the facility which can hold a capacity of 4,200 inmates, with its operation starting "only in April this year."
With a standard area of 40 square meters, Bustinera explained that the BJMP policy states that each cell can accommodate 10 PDLs and, in the case of Quiboloy and his co-accused, eight other inmates.
The BJMP spokesperson stressed that single cell occupancy of the PDL is prohibited under BJMP protocols since the balance between safety and jail congestion should be taken into consideration.
With new and old jail facilities, Bustinera emphasized that the bureau will adhere to the court order stating where Quiboloy should be detained in case he is ordered detained in the BJMP-supervised facility.
If Quiboloy wishes to be transferred to another cell, Bustinera pointed out that the experts, including the jail warden and key jail officials, will assess if his reasons are valid or not.
With speculations on the possible preferential treatment for high-profile inmates like Quiboloy, Bustinera shrugged this claim off with the assurance that “Mr. Quiboloy will be treated like any other PDL (person deprived of liberty), in accordance with the law and jail regulations.’’
“We also guarantee his (Quiboloy) security and safety while in BJMP custody,’’ he added.
Bustinera noted that Department of the interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. and Rivera reminded that there should be no “VIP (very important person)’’ treatment, stressing that all should be treated like “ordinary PDLs,’’ especially at the Quezon City Jail.