Complaints vs Abalos, Marbil over KOJC raid dismissed

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed complaints filed against former Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil, and several other officials in relation to the operation conducted at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City for the arrest of KOJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

The two counts of malicious mischief and domicile complaints were filed against Abalos, Marbil and several others by former President Rodrigo Duterte following the damage incurred to the religious group’s compound during the two-week operation for the service of arrest warrant against Quiboloy and several other officials of the organization over human trafficking and child and sexual abuse in August 2024.

Duterte was appointed by Quiboloy as the administrator of KOJC properties following the issuance of arrest warrants against him.

In his complaint, Duterte said that police personnel barged in to the compound, including the residential quarters of the members, without a search warrant.

“No evidence, direct or circumstantial, has been offered to show that any of the respondents, much less those who were not physically present, acted with malicious intent,” the resolution penned by Davao City acting city prosecutor Angelica Laygo-Francisco read.

“At best, the complainants impute malice based on the scale of nature of the operation, which is legally insufficient,” it added.

The DOJ said the actions of the police fall within the realm of lawful performance of duty and are protected by the presumption of regularity in official functions.

It said it found no probable cause to warrant the indictment of the respondents due to absence of any overt act that constitutes an element of the crimes charged, as well as of the malice, unlawful intent or personal participation.

Quiboloy is currently detained at the Pasig City jail along with five KOJC officials over charges of qualified human trafficking and child and sexual abuse filed by some former members of the organization.

He was arrested following a 16-day intense manhunt operation inside the KOJC compound in Davao City on September 8.

The alleged illegal activities being committed within KOJC, particularly by Quiboloy and of his close followers, were investigated by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

Several women allegedly abused by Quiboloy sexually shared their terrifying experiences on the hands of the sect leaders during the probe.

Quiboloy is also facing similar charges in the United States.

In a statement, Abalos welcomed the dismissal of the complaint, which he said affirmed that all their actions were in accordance to the law.

“This is the end of the matter. The truth has prevailed,” he said. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)