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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider DOJ junks sedition, inciting to sedition raps filed vs Torreon, et al

DOJ junks sedition, inciting to sedition raps filed vs Torreon, et al

Published Oct 17, 2025 05:09 pm
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Justice has dismissed the sedition and inciting to sedition complaints filed against Israelito Torreon, lawyer of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder, Apollo C. Quiboloy; television host Jeffrey Celis, and former anti-communist task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, and others, for insufficiency of evidence.
Torreon confirmed the development in a post on his official Facebook page on Monday, Oct. 13, and expressed relief over the ruling.
He added that the outcome reaffirms his faith in the rule of law and due process. “I remain committed to upholding truth, justice, and integrity in law and service to the people,” Torreon said.
In a resolution dated April 29, the DOJ dismissed the charges against 12 respondents accused by then Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The complaints stemmed from the accused’s alleged actions during the service of arrest warrants against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound in Davao City from Aug. 24 to 26 last year.
According to Torre, the group, composed of the KOJC officials and members, obstructed police operations and encouraged followers to resist authorities.
Based on the resolution, the complaint for sedition under Article 139 of the Revised Penal Code and the complaint for inciting to sedition under Article 142, concerning the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, were all dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
The resolution was signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval and Assistant State Prosecutors Biennerman Hegala and Hegel Jasper Balderama and approved by Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.
Other individuals cleared in the case include Eleanor Cardona, Carlo Catil, Kathleen Kaye Laurente, Trinidad S. Arafol, Lord Byron Cristobal, Esteben C. Lava, Joey Espina Sun, Jose A. Lim III, and lawyer Marie Dinah Tolentino-Fuentes.
However, the DOJ referred the complaint back to the PNP for further investigation against persons who may have “actually performed acts of violence” during the incident at the KOJC compound.
The CIDG filed the sedition and inciting to sedition complaints in October 2024, alleging that the accused encouraged KOJC followers to “rise against the government” and prevented law enforcers from carrying out arrest warrants.
Under the Revised Penal Code, sedition is committed by persons who “rise publicly and tumultuously” to prevent the government from exercising its authority, while inciting to sedition involves individuals who provoke others to commit such acts without directly participating in them.

Related Tags

Davao City KOJC Pastor Apollo Quiboloy DOJ Israelito Torreon
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