PNP files sedition charges vs. Lorraine Badoy, Quiboloy lawyer

📷Lorraine Badoy

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) on Thursday, October 17, has lodged complaints of sedition and inciting to sedition against former anti-insurgency spokesperson Lorraine Badoy, Apollo Quiboloy’s attorney, Israelito Torreon, and ten other Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) members.

The other respondents include former rebel Jeffrey Celis a.k.a. Ka Eric, Eleanor Cardona, Carlo Catiil, Kathleen Kaye Laurente, Trinidad Arafol, Lord Byron Cristobal, Joey Espina Sun, Esteban C. Lava, Jose Lim III, Atty. Marie Dinah Tolentino, and several John and Jane Does.

Based on the complaint filed by CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III before the Department of Justice, Torreon and other respondents blocked access to the KJC compound when police attempted to serve an arrest warrant to Quiboloy on August 24.

Torre, the former chief of PNP-Davao, led the police during the tense two-week search for Quiboloy and his co-accused, who hid inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.

The complaint also mentioned that vehicles belonging to KJC members and supporters blocked the highway and assaulted officers from the police’s Civil Disturbance Unit (CDM).

“Respondent Torreon, Eleonor Cardona, Carlo Catiil, Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, Jeffrey Celis, Kathleen Kay Laurente, Trinidad Arafol along with other supporters and members of the KJC, barricaded the gate and manifested their opposition to the conduct of the operation of the KJC,” read the complaint.

“Protesters began throwing monoblock chairs and stones at the CDM contingents. They also sprayed fire extinguishers and mocked the officers,” the complaint also said, adding that one police officer sustained a knee injury.

Quiboloy and his followers eventually surrendered to law enforcement, including members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), on September 8.

Under the Revised Penal Code, sedition is committed by individuals who “publicly and tumultuously” rise to prevent the government from performing its duties, among other actions.

On the other hand, inciting to sedition occurs when someone, without directly participating in the crime of sedition, encourages others to engage in acts that constitute sedition.

“Well, nakita ‘nyo naman. The government is serving a warrant of arrest against the five fugitives and they are preventing us from doing so. So, isa ‘yon sa mga specific na mga offenses or acts…. So ‘yon ang papasok sa sedition and inciting sedition,” Torre told reporters.

Quiboloy, a prominent religious leader, is facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Additionally, he is facing a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, in a Pasig court.(TCSP)