Court junks Quiboloy’s hospital arrest appeal

Apollo Quiboloy (Photo from DILG Sec. Abalos/FACEBOOK PAGE)

MANILA, Philippines – The Pasig City Regional Trial Court has denied the request of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo C. Quiboloy for hospital arrest.

Quiboloy, in his petition filed last month, told the court he has an existing medical condition that would warrant a stay in a hospital for monitoring pending trial for qualified human trafficking.

“But the court clarified that if there is really a need for a medical check up, the PNP (Philippine National Police) GeneralHospital can very well accommodate the good Pastor,” Quiboloy’s lawyer Israelito Torreon told INQUIRER.net in an interview.

“There is a big difference between a hospital arrest and hospital examination. If there is a need for confinement, the court told us to coordinate with the warden,” he said.

Quiboloy is currently detained at the PNP-Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Torreon said they will still file a motion asking the court to reconsider its decision.

Sought for comment, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it would be up to the court to decide on Quiboloy’s plea for hospital arrest.

“It up to the judge. It depends on the court on how they view the arguments before the sale. We just have to believe in what the court believes is proper in this case,” Remulla said.

Pasig City RTC Branch 159 acting presiding judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa earlier directed the PNP to conduct medical assessment on Quiboloy and co-accused Ingrid Canada, who also sought hospital detention.

Quiboloy, Canada, and three other KJC  associates – Cresente Canada, Jackielyn Roy, and Cemanes are all facing a qualified human trafficking charge before the Pasig RTC.