Davao Regional Police chief to answer cases as they come

Police Regional Office-11 (PRO 11) Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III,  who led the manhunt for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, on Sunday said he would face cases as they come.

“Sagutin natin as they come. Walang problema ‘yan (We will answer as they come. There is no problem there),” he said in an interview on Sunday evening.

Over the weekend, KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon said they would file cases against Torre and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Marbil due to the recent developments in the KOJC compound in Davao.

Torreon said the PNP’s use of helicopters resulted in the destruction of the solar panels at the Jose Maria College, adding that costs could be over P1 billion.

“(I)f you will retire, this will haunt you. Those are my exact words. This will haunt you, sir. Because even if the case would last for five years, that is still 2029,” the KOJC's counsel said on Saturday.

Torre, however, said that he did not consider Torreon an enemy, as they both were doing their jobs.

“I don’t believe na magkaaway kami ni (that I am enemies with) Atty.  Torreon. I would like to believe na (that) we’re just playing our roles. He played his role, I played my role and it turned out well,” he said  Sunday evening.

Quiboloy, who is facing charges of violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination, and a non-bailable qualified human trafficking case, was captured in the KOJC compound in Davao City at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The PNP later said Quiboloy surrendered after he was given a 24-hour ultimatum.

Moving forward, Torre said he would defer to the guidance of President  Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, and PNP Chief Marbil if he would retain his post.

“I do hope so. Depende (It depends). Nasa (It will be up to) Chief PNP ‘yan at saka kay SILG at sa Presidente kung itutuloy pa ba nila ako dito sa (if they  still want me here in) Region 11,” he said.

In the same interview, Torre responded to claims that he was not from Davao, as he displayed a photo of a document showing his ownership of a property in Talomo, Davao.

“Sa mga nagsasabi na hindi ka taga-Davao, ito po ang titulo ng bahay ko sa Talomo. Nakapangalan sa aming mag-asawa (To those saying ‘You are not from Davao’, here is the title of my house in Talomo. It names me and my wife as the owners),” he said. — DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News