A Pasig court has ordered ocular inspections of several properties owned by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City, Quezon City, and Pasig City as part of the ongoing qualified trafficking case against religious leader Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused.
In a nine-page order dated March 27, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 granted the prosecution’s motion, allowing inspections of KOJC sites linked to the complainant’s testimony.
Among the locations are the KOJC local congregation in Pasig City, where the complainant said she was recruited at age 12, and the KOJC Sauyo compound in Quezon City, where she was allegedly baptized.
In Davao City, inspections will cover multiple KOJC facilities, including Jose Maria College, the KOJC dormitory, and the KOJC Bible school building, where the complainant alleged sexual abuse occurred.
The court emphasized the inspections would aid its understanding of the case:
“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… were purportedly committed, and of the manner in which these properties were allegedly utilized as instruments in the commission of the offenses,” the order stated.
Inspections in Pasig and Quezon City are scheduled for April 27, while those in Davao City will take place on May 18. Both prosecution and defense counsels have been directed to attend.
The RTC clarified that the inspections are not substitutes for trial proceedings:
“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.
The prosecution earlier argued that the inspections would help clarify evidence in the qualified trafficking case, which involves allegations of sexual exploitation and labor trafficking.
Meanwhile, Quiboloy’s camp opposed the order.
Defense lawyer Israelito Torreon said, “We will file a most respectful motion for reconsideration.”