DOJ dismisses Duterte’s raps vs Marbil, Abalos over Quiboloy arrest

(LEFT) Apollo Quiboloy and Rodrigo Duterte. PHOTO FROM MALACANANG/INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the malicious mischief and violation of domicile complaints filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte against Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, and several others.

In his complaint, Duterte said the large-scale police operation to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was “excessive” and “unjustified.” Duterte filed the complaint as the administrator of all the properties of the group Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), which Quiboloy founded.

However, the DOJ said in its resolution dated May 13, 2025 that “In the instant case, no evidence has been presented that the police acted without such a belief, or that the respondents entered any premises in parent defiance of the law.”

The DOJ also dismissed the complaint against Major General Ronald Oliver Lee, Police Brigadier General Aligre Martinez, Police Colonels Edwin Portento, Joselito Clarito, Police Lieutenant Colonel Lino Akiangan, Police Major General Mark Pespes, and Police Brigadier General (ret) Ricardo Layug Jr.

“Their actions, as alleged, fall within the realm of lawful performance of duty and are protected by the presumption of regularity in official functions,” the DOJ said.

“Absent any overt act that constitutes an element of the crimes charged, and in the absence of malice, unlawful intent, or personal participation, this Office finds that no probable cause exists to warrant the indictment of the respondents,” it added.

The complaint alleged that the large-scale police operation that involved police personnel’s entry into buildings and residences at the KJC compound was excessive and unjustified and was carried without a search warrant. Structures were damaged, it said.

The complaint added that Abalos and Marbil, being heads of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP, should be held accountable under the doctrine of command responsibility.

Command responsibility means the head of the agency must also be held accountable for the infractions committed by their subordinates.

However, the DOJ said other than invoking command responsibility, no other evidence was presented to support their allegations against the two officials.

“It bears emphasis that criminal prosecutions demand more than the invocation of high office and presumed authority. The law requires evidence of individual culpability—of specific, intentional acts that constitute the offense. The present complaints offer none,” the resolution reads.

Quiboloy was later arrested after nearly two weeks of hiding and is now detained in a Pasig City jail while facing qualified human trafficking and sexual and child abuse cases./mcm