DETAINED Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy is confined at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, where he was brought last Friday due to chest pains, the PNP said yesterday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Quiboloy complained of discomfort in his chest last Thursday, prompting the PNP Health Service to do an electrocardiogram (ECG) test.
Quiboloy is detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame on charges of human trafficking and child abuse. His four co-accused are detained at the Pasig City Jail.
Fajardo said the ECG test showed Quiboloy was having irregular heartbeats, which, she said, “may be considered as life threatening.”
“Their (PNP Health Service) recommendation is to check him further because the chest pain… could lead to a more serious case,” Fajardo said, adding that the pastor’s lawyers were then informed of the findings.
Quiboloy’s legal team filed an urgent motion before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) later on Thursday, requesting that the religious leader be brought to the hospital for medical examination. The motion was granted by the court the following day, with the court initially ordering that the KOJC founder be checked at the Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Quiboloy’s lawyers appealed the decision and asked that their client be brought instead to the Philippine Heart Center, which they said has “complete facility and experts.” The court approved the appeal.
Fajardo said Quiboloy is confined at a regular room, which she said is “heavily guarded” by the PNP. She said visitors need to seek permission from the court before they can visit the televangelist.
In September, Qubiloy asked the Pasig City court to be placed on house or hospital arrest due to his medical condition. The court denied his petition last month after PNP medical findings showed he has no life-threatening condition at that time.
Fajardo said Quiboloy underwent heart procedure in 2009 and 2022 but did not elaborate.
Fajardo could not immediately say what triggered Quiboloy’s chest discomfort. “Let us wait what will be the result of the medical examination. Like I said, the doctors have to take into consideration the previous medical procedures done to him,” she said.
