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Rody may be held liable for harboring Quiboloy
By Nidz Godino
“There are names on the list, but we will wait for formal submission of charges…we are coordinating with DOJ to ensure cases we file are strong and airtight,” Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo at press briefing in Camp Crame former president Rodrigo Duterte may be liable for obstruction of justice for harboring Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
DOJ, through its budget sponsor Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, confirmed this during plenary deliberations of its proposed 2025 budget at House of Representatives.
Upon questioning of ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, DOJ, through Bongalon, said obstruction of justice may be committed if person interfered in arresting or punishing individual.
Asked if Duterte can be held liable under this law, Bongalon said, “yes, if elements of offense are met.”
PNP created special investigation team to focus on identifying individuals suspected of harboring Quiboloy after PNP launched its operation to find KOJC leader.
Fajardo, said there are plans to charge KOJC officers and members with obstruction of justice.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Quiboloy is not deserving of house arrest because he “made it difficult” for authorities to take him into custody.
Although decision to place Quiboloy under house arrest depends on courts, Remulla said those who are usually given this are those who voluntarily surrender themselves to authorities.
“Those who hid and made it difficult for government to take them into custody are not usually allowed house arrest,” he added.
Remulla said “it does not appear” that Quiboloy voluntarily surrendered to authorities, noting that it took police 16 days to search for him in KOJC compound in Davao City.
“Either he was going to get caught, thus his decision to surrender, or he was about to be arrested and decided to surrender…in either case, spontaneity of his action is absent,” he added.
Defense lawyers earlier asked court to place Quiboloy either on house arrest or to transfer him to custody of Armed Forces of the Philippines, citing security concerns and age.
Quiboloy, septuagenarian facing sexual and child abuse cases before Quezon City court and qualified trafficking cases before Pasig City court, is being held at PNP Custodial Center.
Meanwhile, PNP has identified members of so-called Angels of Death group Quiboloy allegedly used to intimidate and threaten victims of abuse within KOJC.
Fajardo said Angels of Death group is not merely symbolic.
“These individuals are real and we have already identified several names…they have been used to threaten and control victims,” Fajardo added.
She noted that PNP has initiated efforts to revoke firearms licenses of these individuals.
According to Fajardo, PNP is treating these individuals as private army under Quiboloy’s command.
Group allegedly takes orders from Quiboloy and has been used to manipulate, intimidate and instill fear among victims, particularly children. Fajardo said two new victims have come forward and expressed their intention to file charges against Quiboloy.
These victims were allegedly abused as minors and are now under protection of PNP in Region 11.
“Victims are gaining courage because Quiboloy is now in custody, which they see as sign that justice may finally be served,” Fajardo explained.
She added victims’ testimonies align with those of previous complainants, detailing pattern of manipulation and abuse that began when they were as young as 12 years old.
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