Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo C. Quiboloy on Friday, Sept. 13, pleaded "not guilty" when arraigned by the Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) on a non-bailable qualified trafficking in persons case filed against him and four co-accused.
Those who also pleaded "not guilty" were co-accused Cresente Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes.
Lawyer Mark Tolentino, one of the legal counsels of Quibuloy said that the trial court also set pre-trial proceedings on the case.
“Pero hindi na kailangan ng accused na pupunta (But the accused are no longer required to appear during the pre-trial)," is not required to appear for the pre-trial),” Tolentino said.
Quiboloy and his co-accused were charged with violation of Section (a) of Republic Act (RA) 9208, known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
Quiboloy was arrested last Sept. 8 in Davao City and has been detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The KOJC founder is also facing criminal charges for other forms of child abuse before the Quezon City RTC which set the arraignment later today, Sept. 13.