The Philippine National Police (PNP) has officially pressed charges of sedition and inciting sedition against a group of individuals linked to Apollo Quiboloy. These individuals are accused of assisting Quiboloy in avoiding arrest while allegedly spreading anti-government messages. This occurred during a significant police operation aimed at capturing the controversial televangelist in Davao City last month.
The PNP alleges that these individuals played a role in misguiding law enforcement officials by denying any knowledge of Quiboloy’s whereabouts. The charges, labeled as “crimes against public order,” categorize sedition as a bailable offense. If convicted, the accused could face imprisonment ranging from six years to up to 12 years.
Israelito Torreon and Marie Dinah Tolentino, both lawyers, are among those charged. They are joined by former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy. The charges are directed at them and several others, including members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), a religious group led by Quiboloy.
The PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has been spearheading the investigation. They assert that the accused were involved in disseminating seditious content across social media platforms. This allegedly contributed to the spread of anti-government sentiment amidst the ongoing efforts to arrest Quiboloy.
Apollo Quiboloy has been a controversial figure in the Philippines. He faces numerous legal challenges, including allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse. For months, authorities have been trying to bring him into custody, but his supporters’ interference, according to the PNP, has hindered these efforts.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has promised to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the charges. They emphasized that all individuals involved would be afforded their right to due process.
The charges have stirred reactions from various sectors. Supporters of Quiboloy view the legal actions as a suppression of free speech and religious expression. They argue that their activities were peaceful and not intended to undermine the government.
However, legal experts assert that the charges reflect a serious breach of public order. They highlight the importance of maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that individuals do not incite unrest or subvert governmental authority.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, through its legal representatives, denied accusations that they had any part in assisting Quiboloy’s evasion of arrest. They insist that their focus is solely on spiritual activities and that they do not engage in political matters.
