DND Rejects Quiboloy’s Request for Military Custody in Pasig Court

The Department of National Defense (DND) has submitted a formal objection to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s request to shift his custody from the police to the military. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Erik Dy, DND Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, filed a four-page “comment and opposition” at Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159.

Dy explained in an impromptu interview that the DND took the initiative to file their comment independently, stating their opposition to transferring Quiboloy to military custody, despite the court’s usual procedure for requesting comments.

Dy mentioned that the Department of National Defense (DND) only received a copy of Quiboloy’s request to move his custody from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday morning.

In an impromptu interview in Pasay City, Dy stated, “The charges against the accused involve serious crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of civilian courts. Therefore, custody should remain with law enforcement agencies, not the military.”

On Monday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong voiced the agency’s objection to the motion filed by Quiboloy’s team.

Andolong stated, “AFP facilities adhere to stringent operational security protocols, making the AFP an unsuitable agency for holding suspects involved in criminal cases.” Dy added that the AFP’s detention facilities are designated exclusively for military officers and personnel facing charges or convictions related to service offenses under the general courts martial.

Quiboloy is currently involved in a human trafficking case before the Pasig Regional Trial Court, which does not allow for bail.

Earlier, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo stated that the Pasig Regional Trial Court issued an order instructing the PNP to maintain custody of Quiboloy and his four subordinates, despite the earlier order from Quezon City RTC Branch 106 for their transfer to jails in Quezon City.

In addition to Quiboloy, Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Camanes are also facing child abuse charges in the Quezon City RTC, though these charges are bailable.

Since their arrest at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City on Sunday, the five suspects have been held at the PNP custodial center, where they were transferred immediately after their capture.