Sedition, inciting to sedition raps filed vs Quiboloy lawyer, others

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Thursday filed a sedition and inciting to sedition complaint against Atty. Israelito Torreon, the legal counsel of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, and 11 others.

Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, acting director of the PNP-CIDG, filed the complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in relation to the serving of arrest warrants against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound in August.

“Nakita niyo naman, the government is serving a warrant of arrest against the five fugitives and they are preventing us from doing so,” Torre said in an ambush interview after the filing.

Among the respondents are SMNI anchors Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celis.

GMA News Online has asked Torreon and Badoy for comment but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

For his part, Celiz said the complaint was “baseless and ridiculous” and that it represented a trend where dissenting voices are harrassed. 

“The complaints allege that I engaged in actions that undermine national stability, among other incredible allegations which I find blatantly exaggerated and misaligned with the principles of  genuine free speech and free expression in a democratic country like the Philippines,” he said in a statement.

Celiz said that government officials should promote an environment where dialogue and dissent can flourish without fear of retribution.

Asked about the involvement of the other respondents, Torre said they were charged for allegedly calling on their supporters to rise against the government. 

“Initially, ang mga in-allege natin doon, ang kanilang mga ginawa like calling on the people to rise against the government, to prevent the police from serving the warrant of arrest, and many others,” he said.

Tensions rose between policemen and KOJC members in August when law enforcers tried to serve the arrest against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound in Davao City. 

Both camps claimed that some of their members were hurt during the implementation of the warrants.

KOJC members had filed a complaint against several policemen over the alleged use of tear gas. However, Torre said it was the KOJC members who used a fire extinguisher on the police.

The PNP also earlier filed obstruction of justice and direct assault complaints against the KOJC members.

Quiboloy surrendered to authorities in September after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Torre also made a courtesy visit to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla

“Wala naman mga heavy topics na pinag-usapan doon. May mga guidance si Secretary na binigay sa atin. May mga remarks din siya na we take as input sa ating pag gawa ng trabaho,” he said.

(There were no heavy topics discussed. The Secretary only gave us some guidance and we took his remarks as inputs in the performance of our duties.)

Quiboloy, an influential religious leader, is facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court. —KBK, GMA Integrated News