4 Quiboloy co-defendants plead not guilty of sex trafficking raps

Four members of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), who have been accused in the sex-trafficking complaints filed against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, have pleaded not guilty before a United States District Court in Los Angeles, California.

According to GMA News' Dave Llavanes' report, the four members identified as Guia Cabactulan, Marissa Duenas, Amanda Estopare, and Felina Salinas pleaded not guilty through a video conference.

Cabactulan, Duenas, and Estopare were detained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after a raid in January 2020. They also faced indictment over trafficking allegations.

Based on court records, Cabactulan was ordered detained because he was  "flight risk."

Salinas, meanwhile, posted $50,000 bail for her temporary freedom.

In a 74-page indictment, Quiboloy and other KOJC church members were accused of recruiting females ages 12 to 25 as personal assistants, or "pastorals." It said they were required to prepare Quiboloy’s meals, clean his residences, give him massages and have sex with him during what they called "night duty."

Earlier, Pastor Quiboloy said he forgives his accusers: “I forgive all my detractors. I forgive all those betrayals. I forgive all the traitors. I forgive all of those who have come to see the truth and turn their back on it. I forgive all of it.”

But in a later statement, Quiboloy warned and urged the public to stop "persecuting, prosecuting and maligning" him, or suffer more from the pandemic.

On the other hand, Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had said that the Philippine government may investigate Pastor Quiboloy, based on the evidence that US authorities have gathered.

Quiboloy is a longtime ally and spiritual adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte. —LBG, GMA News