Pasig court issues arrest warrant vs Quiboloy over human trafficking charges

A Pasig City court has denied Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy's motion to defer or suspend proceedings and hold in abeyance the issuance of a warrant of arrest in relation to the non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges filed against him.

"After consideration of the arguments brought forth by the parties, the court finds the Motion to Defer/Suspend Proceedings and Hold in Abeyance Issuance of Warrant of Arrest to be a prohibited motion and should therefore be DENIED," read the order released by Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159 on April 11.

Quiboloy earlier requested the Pasig court to defer and suspend its proceedings on the human trafficking case against him "pending the resolution by the Secretary of Justice of their Motion for Reconsideration."

However, the court said this reason is not a ground for suspending the arraignment under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules of the Court.

"Clearly, from the foregoing, there is no basis for this court to suspend the proceedings by reason of the filing of a motion for reconsideration on the Resolution of the petition for review before the Department of Justice as this is not one of the grounds stated under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules on Criminal Procedure," the order read.

"This court, after personally examining the information and its supporting document, finds probable cause for the arrest of all the accused. Let warrants of arrest be issued against them," it further stated.

Quiboloy's co-accused are Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemane, all of whom are also facing a separate case before a Davao tribunal.

The Pasig City court said that it cannot deviate from its mandated duty and desist from acting on the case in the absence of any restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crisipin "Boying" Remulla welcomed the decision, saying the issued warrants of arrest against Quiboloy and the five others "herald the efficiency of [the] criminal justice system."

Further, Remulla said these arrest warrants "[echo] the strong resolve of the State and our society to hold accountable individuals who transgress the Rule of Law, regardless of their social status or wealth."

Last month, the DOJ announced the filing of qualified human trafficking charges under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended, against Quiboloy before Pasig City RTC Branch 159.

No bail was recommended for the charges.

Charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act were also filed against Quiboloy before a Davao court.

In the Davao case, prosecutors said the bail was set at P180,000 for sexual assault and P80,000 for maltreatment.

On Wednesday, authorities visited the properties owned by Quiboloy to serve the arrest order released by the Senate and a Davao court against him.

A Senate hearing was conducted on the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse of some members of Quiboloy's KOJC, while a House hearing is tackling issues against the franchise renewal of Quiboloy's Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI).

In early March, a California court ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused in the KOJC leader's case, which involves charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.

Quiboloy remains wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is believed to be in the Philippines. — VDV, GMA Integrated News