The request of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy for a transfer of custody from the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center to an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) facility was denied by the court.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo made the revelation on Friday, Sept. 13, after Quiboloy appeared before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) where he is facing non-bailable qualified trafficking in persons case for a pre-trial and arraignment.
“The court heard the motions and manifestations entered into by the lawyers of the accused particularly their transfer from the custodial facility to AFP. Since the AFP (sic) submitted a formal reply objecting the motion for transfer of custody from PNP to AFP, the court denied such motion,” Fajardo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Following Quiboloy’s arrest last week, the camp of the embattled church leader raised intention to be transferred from the PNP custodial center to any AFP facility, citing security risks.
But the Department of National Defense (DND) filed a comment before the Pasig City RTC to deny the request.
DND Asst. Sec. for Legal and Legislative Affairs lawyer Erik Lawrence S. Dy argued that Quiboloy is facing heinous crimes which are covered by the civilian courts, which is why it is only just that he remains under the custody of law enforcement agencies and not the military.
He explained that the AFP detention facilities are meant to serve military officers and personnel who are charged or convicted of service-related offenses under the jurisdiction of the General Courts Martial.
Meanwhile, Fajardo said that the lawyers of Quiboloy and one of his co-accused, Ingrid Canada, filed a motion to have their clients be transferred to the Veterans Memorial Center in Davao City.
“Accordingly, they have existing medical conditions and they are having a divvicult time at the custodial facility. The judge required the PNP to have government doctors whowill check their medical condition,” the PNP spokesperson explained.
Fajardo also said that the four co-accused of Quiboloy - Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemane - will be transferred to Pasig City Jail after the court released a commitment order for their transfer.
"However, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy will temporarily remain at the custodial center pending resolution of their motion to be checked by the medical doctors that will be provided by the government," she added.