MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte may be liable for obstruction of justice for harboring Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.
The DOJ, through its budget sponsor Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, confirmed this during plenary deliberations of its proposed 2025 budget at the House of Representatives.
Upon questioning of ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, the DOJ, through Bongalon, said obstruction of justice may be committed if a person interfered in arresting or punishing an individual.
Asked if Duterte can be held liable under this law, Bongalon said, “Yes, if the elements of the offense are met.”
The Philippine National Police created a special investigation team to focus on identifying individuals suspected of harboring Quiboloy after the PNP launched its operation to find the KOJC leader.
Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, said there are plans to charge KOJC officers and members with obstruction of justice.
“There are names on the list, but we will wait for the formal submission of charges. We are coordinating with the DOJ to ensure that the cases we file are strong and airtight,” Fajardo said at a press briefing in Camp Crame yesterday.
House arrest bucked
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 the decision to place Quiboloy under house arrest depends on the 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 the 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 the authorities, noting that it took the police 16 days to search for him in the 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, the spontaneity of his action is absent,” he added.
Defense lawyers earlier asked the court to place Quiboloy either on house arrest or to transfer him to the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, citing security concerns and age.
Quiboloy, a septuagenarian facing sexual and child abuse cases before a Quezon City court and qualified trafficking cases before a Pasig City court, is being held at the PNP Custodial Center.
‘Angels of Death real’
Meanwhile, the PNP has identified members of the so-called Angels of Death – a group Quiboloy allegedly used to intimidate and threaten victims of abuse within the KOJC.
Fajardo said the 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 the PNP has initiated efforts to revoke the firearms licenses of these individuals.
According to Fajardo, the PNP is treating these individuals as a private army under Quiboloy’s command.
The 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 the protection of the PNP in Region 11.
“The victims are gaining courage because Quiboloy is now in custody, which they see as a sign that justice may finally be served,” Fajardo explained.
She added that the victims’ testimonies align with those of previous complainants, detailing a pattern of manipulation and abuse that began when they were as young as 12 years old. — Daphne Galvez, Bella Cariaso, Mark Ernest Villeza