MANILA, Philippines — Police are preparing sedition complaints against members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ who staged a rally at the religious sect’s compound in an apparent bid to disrupt the manhunt for their leader and KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy.
Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Davao region police director, said yesterday they are finalizing criminal cases against officers and members of KOJC who allegedly obstructed the manhunt for Quiboloy, which lasted for over two weeks.
“There’s inciting to sedition. Their rally on the second day (of the manhunt), there was inciting to sedition as well as conspiracy to commit… sedition,” Torre said in an interview over dzBB.
In a message on Viber, Torre said the participants at the rally called for the downfall of the administration of President Marcos.
Following his arrest, the self-styled preacher who called himself appointed son of God was brought to Manila and detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center at Camp Crame.
Torre said at least 10 personalities, whom he did not identify, are on PNP’s list of possible respondents to criminal cases being readied.
“If I tell you their names, you will actually recognize them,” Torre said.
The PNP also wants to file cases against people suspected of harboring Quiboloy, who is now facing qualified human trafficking and child abuse before the Pasig City and Quezon City courts.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Franciso Marbil yesterday ordered the formation of a composite team comprising the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for a case buildup against people who shielded Quiboloy.
“We have mobilized a dedicated investigation team to pursue those who sheltered Quiboloy and obstructed justice. The PNP is fully committed to bringing these individuals to account and ensuring they face the full force of the law,” Marbil said in a statement.
Torre also revealed that members of the Angels of Death, tasked to intimidate girls who squealed on Quiboloy’s sexal abuses, were trained by members of the PNP and other government security forces.
“It’s a shame to admit that the PNP was involved in their training, like in basic life support,” he said.
Members of the group underwent training in traffic control, search and rescue, firearms proficiency and security awareness, Torre said.
Some Angel of Death members, Torre said, were involved in crimes such as robbery and physical injury.
Torre said they are reviewing the records of the members of the group, including their firearms licenses.
Quiboloy’s lead counsel Israelito Torreon denied the KOJC employed the Angels of Death as its private army.
He said if the allegation were true, then the KOJC could have utilized the group when policemen swarmed the church’s compound for two weeks.
“You never saw even one of them brandish a firearm in order to retaliate against the policemen,” Torreon said. “Instead, you saw bread and food being given to the policemen by the KOJC members.”