Balamban faith healer Casiano “Tatay Loloy” Apduhan pleaded “not guilty” to charges of human trafficking for allegedly recruiting a family to work for him without pay.
Apduhan was arraigned before Judge Ruben Altubar of the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 in Toledo City yesterday morning.
He was assisted by lawyers Nikki Alcordo and Chris Francis Tangoan.
Also present during the proceedings were Apduhan’s wife, as well as Heddah Largo and Jedidah Hife of the Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC).
When asked by reporters to comment on the new charges filed against him, Apduhan said: “Di gyud tinuod. (That’s not true) Not guilty.”
Aside from human trafficking, Apduhan was also charged for murder after agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recovered remains of a 14-year-old boy buried in an underground chamber at Apduhan’s house in Balamban town.
Prosecutor Reynaldo Menchavez requested the court to defer Apduhan’s arraignment on the murder case, saying they have yet to amend the information filed against the accused in court.
The court rescheduled the arraignment for Apduhan’s case on Dec. 8. On the same day, the court will also conduct a summary hearing to determine whether or not Apduhan shall be allowed to post bail.
In an interview, Largo said PWC will present sufficient evidence to prove the accusations levelled against Apduhan.
“He has the right to defend himself. There’s already a case filed in court. Hence, let the court decide,” she told reporters.
Largo said the victim’s family wasn’t able to attend yesterday’s proceedings because PWC only learned about the scheduled hearing late afternoon Thursday.
Apduhan is facing separate charges for serious illegal detention and illegal possession of firearms before another court.
Agents of the NBI arrested Apduhan last March 26 in his residence in Buanoy, Balamban, which has an underground tunnel.
He was accused of detaining 33-year-old Emma Nepomuceno inside his villa for over five years, a charge he later denied.
The NBI also found the bones and decomposing remains of 14-year-old boy Angelo Repuela in a deep pit inside the two-story house.
Apduhan denied having a hand in the boy’s death as well as detaining Nepomuceno.
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