The Department of National Defense (DND) filed a second comment-opposition on Friday, opposing the request by Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused to be transferred to the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). DND Assistant Secretary Erik Lawrence S. Dy confirmed the filing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice.
The DND stressed that Quiboloy, who faces charges for heinous crimes, is under the jurisdiction of civil courts, and the AFP does not handle the detention of individuals facing criminal charges. AFP facilities are reserved for military personnel involved in service-related offenses.
Quiboloy's legal team cited security concerns and health reasons as grounds for requesting his transfer to AFP custody or house arrest. His lawyers also highlighted his past support of anti-insurgency efforts, particularly his advocacy against the New People's Army (NPA) and backing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Quiboloy, currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, faces multiple charges, including violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and qualified human trafficking. He is also indicted in the U.S. for sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Quiboloy has consistently denied all allegations.
Earlier this week, Quiboloy and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges in a Pasig City court.
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