FILE PHOTO: Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos speaks during a press conference in Catarman, Northern Samar. Photo from the Department of the Interior and Local Government Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — Former Interior chief Benhur Abalos Jr. on Friday sought the dismissal of the mischief complaint that ex-President Rodrigo Duterte filed against him.
Appearing at the Department of Justice, Abalos filed his counter-affidavit defending the government raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City that led to the arrest of its then-fugitive founder, Apollo Quiboloy.
According to Abalos, the allegations of Duterte in his mischief complaint are “baseless.”
“I am executing this Counter-Affidavit to attest to the truth of all the foregoing defenses and assertions, and to establish my defense against the baseless charges filed against me,” the counter-affidavit of Abalos states.
READ: Ex-President Duterte files complaints vs Abalos, Marbil over KJC raid
In a chance interview at the DOJ on Friday, Abalos said he stands by the police operation in the KJC premises, maintaining that law enforcers made the right call in conducting the raid.
“What if we didn’t go to [KJC]? What if we just left like in the first raid? Until now, Pastor Quiboloy would still be there,” he pointed out.
“Don’t be afraid; as long as you know that what you are doing is right, don’t be scared,” he added, also in mixed Filipino and English.
Abalos said he already expected facing complaints over the police operations. He brushed them off as a mere part of the job.
On Aug. 24, around 2,000 members of the Philippine National Police raided the 30-hectare KJC compound to serve the arrest warrant against Quiboloy.
READ: PNP is firm that Quiboloy is still at KJC compound
Quiboloy was then arrested on Sept. 8, following the police’s 24-hour ultimatum.
The televangelist, who has been a long-time ally of the Dutertes, is currently facing child abuse and human trafficking cases before the Quezon City and Pasig City courts, respectively.
Apart from his cases within the country, Quiboloy is also facing several criminal charges In the US, including Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion; Conspiracy; and Bulk Cash Smuggling