PNP to file sedition raps over Quiboloy supporters' rally

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to file sedition complaints against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s supporters who staged a rally during the hunt for the religious leader inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.

“Bukas o makalawa, ipa-finalize at ipa-file na namin ang mga kaso laban doon sa mga personalities na identified natin,” Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III told Dobol B TV in an interview on Tuesday.

(Tomorrow or the next day, we will finalize and file the cases against the personalities we have identified.)

“Kasama na rin doon yung inciting to sedition yung sa ginawa nilang rally on the second day at saka yung conspiracy to commit inciting to sedition,” he added.

(That includes the inciting to sedition in the rally they did on the second day and also the conspiracy to commit inciting to sedition.)

Torre made the statement after PRO 11 conducted a case conference on Monday.

According to Torre, more than 10 people will be implicated in the complaints. However, the PRO 11 chief refused to divulge their names to avoid preempting the move.

GMA News Online has sought comment from KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon about Torre’s statement but he has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

In a separate statement, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group formed a special composite team with some Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) officials to build more cases.

“The team will coordinate closely with the Police Regional Office 11 and conduct a continuous, thorough investigation to ensure a solid case. This will involve meticulous analysis of digital evidence, testimonials, and documents,” he said.

“We will leave no stone unturned to bring justice to those who have enabled Quiboloy's evasion," he added.

On August 24, thousands of police personnel were deployed to serve arrest warrants against Quiboloy inside the KOJC compound. Quiboloy supporters on August 26 conducted a protest outside the area amid the police operation.

Aside from the sedition complaints, the PNP earlier said that obstruction of justice charges will be filed against those who helped Quiboloy to hide from authorities.

Initially, PRO 11 said as of August 29 that 29 KOJC members are facing obstruction of justice and direct assault complaints after 60 police officers were hurt implementing the arrest warrants against Quiboloy.

Arrest warrants were issued against Quiboloy and others for alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act as well as qualified human trafficking.

Quiboloy and his other co-accused pleaded not guilty to these cases.

Quiboloy has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

His camp has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News