The Department of Justice has dismissed the criminal complaints filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte against several top officials, including Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, over the controversial raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
In a resolution dated May 13, Davao City Acting Prosecutor Angelica Laygo-Francisco ruled there was no probable cause to indict the respondents for malicious mischief or violation of domicile, charges stemming from the June 10, 2024 police operation at the Glory Mountain Compound in Barangay Tamayong.
Duterte had accused Abalos and high-ranking police officers—including Aligre Martinez, Ronald Oliver Lee, Edwin Portento, Mark Pespes, Ricardo Layug Jr., Joselito Clarito, Isralin Lauren, and Lino Akiangan—of unlawful acts during the search for KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing charges of qualified human trafficking and other offenses.
The former president claimed officers forcibly entered the premises, caused damage to property, and injured members of the religious sect. However, prosecutors found no clear evidence linking the officials to those actions.
“Absent any overt act that constitutes an element of the crimes charged… this office finds that no probable cause exists to warrant the indictment of the respondents,” Laygo-Francisco stated.
The police and government officials, in their counter-affidavits, argued that they were merely executing a lawful court order. They emphasized that their actions were consistent with official duties and carried out in good faith.
Responding to the resolution, Abalos welcomed the ruling, saying, “This is the end of the matter. The truth has prevailed.”
