The Court of Appeals (CA) has declared null and void the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) issued by a Davao City court in favor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). The CA’s 22nd Division, based in Cagayan de Oro City, ruled that the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 15 acted without authority in granting the TPO.
The TPO was issued after police raided the KOJC compound to serve arrest warrants against its leader, Apollo Quiboloy, and four co-accused. The CA found that the Davao court’s handling of the case could lead to local biases and influence witnesses.
The Supreme Court had previously ordered the transfer of Quiboloy’s criminal cases from Davao City to Quezon City due to the accused’s influence in the area. The CA noted that the amparo case, which led to the TPO, is closely intertwined with the criminal cases against Quiboloy.
KOJC’s lead counsel, Israelito Torreon, stated that they will file a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the transfer of venue order does not cover individual members of the KOJC, its officers, and students of Jose Maria College.
Police officials believe Quiboloy and his co-accused, who are wanted for child abuse and qualified human trafficking, are hiding in an underground bunker in the KOJC compound. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo welcomed the CA’s decision, stating that it validates the police operation. Fajardo also reiterated that KOJC members, not the police, erected barricades in the compound.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) expressed hope that the ongoing police operations will not affect the upcoming filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) in Davao City for the May 2025 midterm elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia admitted that the poll body canceled plans to bring the Register Anywhere Program to the KOJC compound due to the unrest. He assured that other KOJC members were able to register at other sites.
Garcia expressed optimism that law enforcement agencies in Davao City are prepared to ensure the peaceful conduct of the COC filing, scheduled from October 1 to 8.
Photo Courtesy: Manahan