Quiboloy cases not affected by Duterte's situation —complainant's camp

The human trafficking and child abuse cases filed against detained evangelist Apollo Quiboloy are not affected by the situation of former President Rodrigo Duterte, his known ally, the camp of complainant known as alias "Amanda" said Friday.

“Para sa amin, hindi kasi ito political eh. This is a matter of ‘yung nag se-seek kami ng justice para sa aming private complainant,” Private Prosecutor Joahna Paula Domingo told GMA News Online.

(For us, this isn’t political. This is a matter of us seeking justice for our private complainant.)

“So it has nothing, it should have nothing to do with whatever it is, whatever issues na hinaharap ngayon na nakapalibot sa isyu ng dating president,” she added.

(So it has nothing, it should have nothing to do with whatever it is, whatever issues are currently surrounding the former president.)

Duterte is currently in the International Criminal Court’s custody at The Hague as he is facing a case for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

Separate entities

Domingo issued the remark following the hearing of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159, where Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

She said that though Quiboloy is a known friend of Duterte, the two are separate entities.

“Kasi we maintain in the prosecution that Apollo Quiboloy is actually a criminal. And he’s a rapist, he’s a human trafficker, and I don’t think it has anything to do with the issue surrounding FPRRD,” she said.

She said their camp maintains that the evidence of guilt against Quiboloy is strong and they are doing their best to prove it.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Quiboloy’s camp but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Cross-examination

Meanwhile, Domingo said the cross-examination of Amanda will continue until the next hearing on March 31, Monday.

During cross-examination, she said the defense will attempt to verify or show the court if there is an inconsistency regarding the complainant’s testimony.

“In so far as we are concerned, hanggang ngayon from day one of this petition, nanatiling consistent ang complainant namin sa testimonya niya against Quiboloy and et al. regardless of what is the view of the defense about it,” Domingo said.

(As far as we are concerned, from day one of this petition until now, our complainant has remained consistent in her testimony against Quiboloy and et al., regardless of what the view of the defense is about it.)

The private prosecutor also said that Amanda’s mental condition has improved compared to when they filed the case in 2019.

Previously, Domingo said Amanda was really suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

“Hirap na hirap siyang mag salita, mag relate, ganon. But since na-convince naman namin siya mag undergo ng therapy, nakikita namin ‘yung difference. Mas nakaka relate na siya ngayon, mas nakakausap na namin siya ng maayos,” she said.

(She had a really hard time speaking, relating, and things like that. But since we convinced her to undergo therapy, we’ve seen the difference. She’s able to relate more, and we can communicate with her more clearly.)

“I think nakatulong talaga na nakakulong na ngayon si Quiboloy kasi dati nababalot siya palagi ng takot. Takot para sa buhay niya, takot para sa buhay ng pamilya niya,” she added.

(I think it really helped that Quiboloy is now detained because before, she was always consumed by fear. Fear for her life, fear for her family’s safety.)

Quiboloy is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act before a Quezon City court. —VAL, GMA Integrated News