Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s complaints against former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Philippine National Police chief PGen Rommel Marbil, and seven others over alleged forced entry in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
The police operation was to arrest KOJC head Apollo Quiboloy for sex and trafficking crimes. He has been detained at the Pasig City jail.
READ: TIMELINE: Legal challenges hounding Pastor Apollo Quiboloy
The DOJ cited lack of probable cause.
“The records are barren of any factual or legal basis to sustain the prosecution of the herein respondents for the offenses charged,” Assistant State Prosecutor Angelica Laygo-Francisco wrote in the resolution dated May 13 and released to the media on Thursday, May 22.
“Absent any overt act that constitutes an element of the crimes charged, and in the absence of malice, unlawful intent, or personal participation, this Office finds that no probable cause exists to warrant the indictment of the respondents,” she added.
The police operation at the KOJC compound happened in June last year. It is owned by Quiboloy, Duterte’s spiritual adviser.
Appointed as KOJC administrator, Duterte argued that the police allegedly forcibly breached the compound premises in enforcing an arrest warrant, injuring religious members. Complainants also said police officers supposedly entered without authority during nighttime in a residential compound and searched the premises despite only having an arrest warrant.
Respondents have denied direct participation in the accusations and defended that criminal intent is lacking as they were doing their duties.
