Abalos says charges against him unfounded

(UPDATE) FORMER interior secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Friday filed a counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice, seeking the dismissal of charges brought against him by former president Rodrigo Duterte. The complaints stemmed from the controversial police operations in August and September 2024 in Davao City that led to the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy. The police operations culminated in Quiboloy's arrest on Sept. 8 on non-bailable charges of qualified human trafficking and child abuse. Quiboloy, who proclaims himself the "Son of God," has long been embroiled in controversy, including allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation. Duterte, a close ally of Quiboloy, filed the complaint as administrator of KOJC properties. Abalos denied the accusations of misconduct, describing the charges as "baseless and politically motivated." Allegations include malicious mischief, violation of domicile, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. Abalos maintained that the raid was lawful and necessary, asserting in his affidavit that he neither planned nor participated in the operation. "The only evidence presented by the complainant against me is that I was the Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary at the time. This falls short of the standard of proof required under the law," Abalos said, noting command responsibility cannot be cited in his case since he had no direct role in the operation. Abalos questioned the Department of Justice's jurisdiction over the case, citing Republic Act 6770, which assigns disciplinary authority over Cabinet members to the Office of the Ombudsman.