Complaint dropped vs Abalos, PNP over Quiboloy manhunt

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the criminal complaints filed by former president Rodrigo Duterte against former interior secretary Benhur Abalos and officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in connection with manhunt operations conducted at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City to arrest KOJC pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In a 12-page resolution, the DOJ’s National Prosecution Office said it found no evidence to establish probable cause for the complaint for malicious mischief and violation of domicile filed by Duterte as administrator of KOJC properties against Abalos, PNP chief Rommel Marbil and other police officials.

“The records are barren of any factual or legal basis to sustain the prosecution of the respondents for the offenses charged. Their actions, as alleged, fall within the realm of lawful performance of duty and are protected by the presumption of regularity in official functions,” the resolution read.

The complaint alleged that the large-scale police operation at the KOJC compound, where police entered buildings and residences, was “excessive and unjustified” and was done without a search warrant or reasonable belief that the subjects of the arrest were inside.

Some structures were likewise damaged during the operations.

The complaint invoked the principle of command responsibility, saying senior officers failed to prevent or correct alleged abuses during the operation.

Quiboloy was arrested and is now detained in Pasig City on a trafficking charge.

In the May 13 resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Angelica Laygo-Francisco, the DOJ said the complaints failed to show the elements required to establish probable cause.

It said malice was “strikingly absent,” and that it is “legally insufficient” to say that malice was present based on the scale and nature of the operation.

Meanwhile, former interior secretary Benhur Abalos said the dismissal of malicious mischief complaints filed by former president Rodrigo Duterte against him proves Quiboloy's arrest was lawful.

The DOJ's ruling, he said, showed no laws were violated in Quiboloy's arrest. — Emmanuel Tupas