KINGDOM of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy was brought back to the Pasig City Jail on Wednesday night after several weeks of hospitalization due to community-acquired pneumonia and hypertension.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesman Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the 74-year-old Quiboloy was discharged from the Pasig City General Hospital on Wednesday night.
Quiboloy was initially brought to the Rizal Medical Center (RMC) last January 21 after he complained of difficulty in breathing. He was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and hypertension.
Later that day, the pastor was transferred to the Medical City, also in Pasig City, on the recommendation of the attending physician at the RMC, “due to insufficient facilities.”
On January 23, a Pasig City court trying Quiboloy on charges of qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, ordered his transfer to the Pasig City General Hospital.
Bustinera said Quiboloy, upon his return to the Pasig City Jail, was subjected to “quarantine procedure” and was taken to cell, joining other inmates who are also recovering from various illnesses.
He could not immediately say when the KOJC founder will be transferred to a regular cell.
“As of now, he is okay, he is ambulatory but he has to undergo quarantine procedure. He is recovering, he is getting continuous medication,” the BJMP official said.
“He was taken to a cell, joining the others (recovering inmates) so he can be given attention by our infirmary. But of course that is still a cell, he is back at a cell,” said Bustinera.
Bustinera dismissed criticisms on social media that the BJMP is giving preferential treatment to Quiboloy after he was allowed to record a video message that was played in the proclamation rally held by his supporters on Tuesday night.
Quiboloy is running for senator in the upcoming elections.
“It’s covered by a court order from (Pasig City) RTC (regional trial court) 159. He was allowed (by the court) to record the video. We just complied with the court order, allowing him to record the message,” Bustinera said, adding that BJMP personnel were ordered by the court to supervise the recording of the video.
On whether Quiboloy will be allowed to leave the Pasig City Jail to campaign, Bustinera said: “No, he cannot leave. That’s unless there is an order from the court.”
“Campaigning outside or otherwise, all these need court order. We will just follow (the court), these should be covered by (court) order,” he said.
