Cases vs ‘cult leader’ on

CEBU, Philippines - The case against alleged cult leader Casiano Apduhan Jr. will stay after the court denied his motion to dismiss the serious illegal detention case and illegal possession of firearms case against him.

“At this stage of the proceeding where the accused has not been arraigned yet, it is not prudent for the court to dismiss the case based on the affidavit of denial of serious illegal detention and the testimony of Emma Nepomuceno who identified the same. After all, and as stated, supra, the quantum of evidence required is much lower or lesser than proof beyond reasonable doubt,” the court’s ruling reads.

Apduhan’s arraignment has been set for June 30, 2014.

Apduhan earlier questioned his indictment after the woman who he alleged detained at his residence denied the same.

“She testified that she was not illegally and seriously detained by the accused; she was not forced nor restrained nor detained by the accused or any person or any member of the household. In fact, she was considered a member of the Apduhan family,” Apduhan’s petition reads.

The prosecution, meanwhile, presented two witnesses to prove that Nepomuceno was indeed detained. One witness, Eleuterio Repuela, said the room in Apduhan’s house where the woman was staying was reportedly covered by iron grills and padlocks. The woman was also reportedly not allowed to leave the house.

A clinical psychologist, Maryjun Delgado, testified that the woman is suffering from Stockholm syndrome because she sympathizes with the accused who allegedly detained her for five years.

Aside from the serious illegal detention and illegal possession of firearm, Apduhan is also facing charges for murder, child abuse and anti-trafficking in persons for allegedly killing Angelo Repuela who was found buried deep inside a 30-foot tunnel under the his house.  (FREEMAN)