The legal counsel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) said KOJC members are preparing for charges filed by police in relation to the recent operations against KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy is currently facing abuse and trafficking cases in courts in Metro Manila.
KOJC lawyer Israelito Torreon, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said that “he was only doing his job” as the controversial pastor’s legal counsel.
“Even a disbarment case?” he said of the legal challenges that he and other KOJC members may face for what police said was obstruction of justice and harassment during the search operation.
“If they feel that I have to be disbarred in the practice of law, I will just answer it in the proper forum. I know that I just did my job pursuant to the best of my abilities and if they feel that I violated any of our codes of conduct, then so be it,” Torreon said.
He also said that he “feels” the Philippine National Police (PNP) is pursuing cases “to make our lives miserable” but said members of the religious group, who see Quiboloy as the appointed ‘Son of God’, will just defend themselves in court.
“We all have different roles to play and I do hope that after all the roles have played out, everything will come together and we’ll work for the best on both camps,” the lawyer, quoted by the report, further said.
Earlier, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Nicolas Torre III, who led the operation at the KOJC compound, said that the police are preparing to file charges of sedition, obstruction of justice, and direct assault against KOJC members who prevented them from carrying out their duties.
Torre said KOJC members also shouted at him for doing his job. “They tried to stop us, assaulted our people and threw human waste at them. Some police officers were punched,” the official said.
Some members of the media have also reportedly already filed complaints with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) for unjust vexation and physical injuries.
“That is what PTFOMs is organizing and consolidating. We have identified key personalities and we have people who have already filed complaints. The journalists witnessed these people treating them in excess of what is allowed by law.”
