CA nullifies Davao court protection order for KOJC

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

LEGAL OPS. Davao Region cops deployed outside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City on Aug. 24, 2024. The Court of Appeals, in an order dated Sept. 3, 2024, has nullified the temporary protection order obtained from a Davao court by lawyers representing the KOJC against police operations to capture Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

MANILA – The Court of Appeals (CA) in Cagayan De Oro has nullified the temporary protection order (TPO) obtained from a Davao court by lawyers representing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name Above all Names Inc. (KOJC) against police operations to capture Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In its five-page order dated Sept. 3, the appellate court noted that the Supreme Court had already designated the Quezon City Regional Trial court to handle the cases against Quiboloy, who is being hunted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on charges of rape and human trafficking.

The CA said the Davao RTC Br. 15 under Judge Mario C. Duaves “acted without authority” in taking cognizance of the case and issuing a protection order last Aug. 27 against the police operations.

“There is no denying that the amparo case (filed before the Davao RTC) is closely intertwined with the cases filed against Quiboloy considering that what is at stake is the implementation of the warrants of arrest against the latter and his co-accused. To allow the public respondent (Davao court) to continue hearing the case would certainly circumvent the mandate of the Supreme Court. The public respondent should have stayed his hand in the amparo case to prevent any semblance of bias or influence — the very evil sought to be prevented by the Supreme Court,” the CA said.

In a press briefing, Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said the CA’s decision proved that the PNP was right in implementing the arrest warrant against Quiboloy.

“Ang implication lang nun ay tama from the start ang PNP na yung nilabas na TPO and even yung cease and desist order nila ay walang kinalaman yun doon sa pag iimplement natin ng warrant of arrest. But be that as it may, kahit ganun pa rin yung content ng TPO ang sinasabi ng CA ay wala itong basehan (The implication is the PNP was right from the start that the TPO and even the cease-and-desist order has no bearing on the implementation of the warrant of arrest. But be that as it may, even as to the contents of the TPO, the CA said it has no basis),” she said. (with a report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)