Pasig court grants ocular inspection of KOJC properties in Metro Manila, Davao
Apollo Quiboloy (FILE PHOTO)
The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159 has approved the prosecution’s motion for an ocular inspection of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) properties in Metro Manila and Davao to provide a clearer understanding of the premises identified in the alleged qualified trafficking case against its founder, Apollo Quiboloy, and other co-accused.
In a nine-page order dated March 27, the court granted the motion of the prosecution and ordered ocular inspections of the following:
●Local Congregation of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ located in Barangay Rosario, Pasig City
●Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Sauyo Compound located in Barangay Sauyo, Quezon City
●Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Compound located at Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway, Catitipan, Davao City
●Jose Maria College (JMC) located at Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway, Sasa, Davao City
●KOJC Dormitory, located at Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway, Sasa, Davao City
●KOJC Bible School Building, located at Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway, Sasa, Davao City
The order stated that the inspection of KOJC properties in Pasig City and Quezon City is tentatively scheduled for April 27, while the inspection of properties in Davao City is set for May 18.
The order also directed the prosecution and counsel for all the accused to be present during the conduct of the ocular inspection.
The prosecution said in its motion that the inspection aims to help the court “verify facts that are not easily captured by photographs or testimonial evidence alone.”
"Here, the Court finds it necessary to conduct an ocular inspection of the following subject premises, as such inspection will materially assist the Court in obtaining a clearer and more accurate understanding of the locations where the alleged offenses of Qualified Trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation and labor trafficking were purportedly committed, and of the manner in which these properties were allegedly utilized as instruments in the commission of the offenses," it said.
The RTC stressed that the inspection is authorized only to help the court in clearing a doubt, reaching a conclusion, or finding the truth.
"But it is not the main trial nor should it exclude the presentation of other evidence which the parties may deem necessary to establish their case," it said.