Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, the CIDG Director takes his oath before the Department of Justice as complainant of the case
DAVAO CITY — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has formally lodged complaints for sedition and inciting to sedition against Atty. Israelito R. Torreon and several affiliated members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torres, the Director of CIDG, presented the complaints to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, detailing allegations that the respondents obstructed police operations aimed at executing arrest warrants for KOJC founder Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and four co-accused individuals.
In an interview with reporters on September 9, the day after Quiboloy surrendered, Torre said “The operation could have been shortened but there are individuals who deliberately hindered and prolonged the operations.”
Among those named in the criminal complaints are Atty. Marie Dinah Tolentino-Fuentes, Eleanor Cardona, Carlo Catiil, Kathleen Kaye Laurente, Trinidad S. Arafol, Joey Espina Sun, Esteban C. Lava, Jose A. Lim III, and Jeffrey Celis, also known as “Ka Eric.” The list also includes Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, the former spokesperson for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and prominent vlogger Lord Byron Cristobal, known as “Banat By.”
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Torreon expressed his expectation that complaints would be filed against them. He noted that despite the conclusion of what he described as a “16-day siege,” charges of sedition were still pursued against associates of KOJC.
The police operations at the KOJC compound began on August 24 and concluded on September 8, resulting in the arrests of Quiboloy and several other suspects.
During separate arraignments on September 13, Quiboloy and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to serious charges, including child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified human trafficking, before various Regional Trial Courts.
According to a statement from the DOJ, supporters of the KOJC allegedly obstructed law enforcement efforts by barricading the compound, shutting down surrounding roads, and attacking police personnel.
Reports indicate that officers sustained injuries from various aggressive actions taken by KOJC members, raising concerns over public safety and the rule of law.
The DOJ emphasized that these actions potentially violated Article 139 of the Revised Penal Code, which addresses sedition involving public disruptions, forceful prevention of government functions, and hostile actions against public officials or employees. As this legal situation unfolds, the implications for both the individuals involved and the broader community remain significant.
