Torreon files rejoinder for obstruction of justice complaint at DOJ

Lawyer Israelito Torreon was at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday to personally file a rejoinder on his obstruction of justice complaint over the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy in 2024.

Torreon filed his counter-affidavit on the complaint in January. He said the rejoinder is in answer to the reply filed by the complainant.

“I responded na ‘yung warrant of arrest na pinakita… kailangan ko ‘yun i-point out kay General Torre during the incident of August 24, 2024,” he said.

(I responded to the warrant of arrest that was shown... I have to point that out to General Torre during the incident of August 24, 2024.)

“Simply because of the fact when you apply Rule 113, Section 11, ‘yung magpasok ka ng building, enclosure ‘yun, kailangan ‘yung address nung warrant of arrest specified. Tapos kailangan may probable cause ka, sigurado ka,” he added.

(Simply because of the fact that when you apply Rule 113, Section 11, when you enter a building or an enclosure, you need the address specified in the arrest warrant. Then you need to have probable cause; you're sure.)

He declined to divulge further details.

Torreon said that following his submission of the rejoinder, prosecutors may call for a clarificatory hearing, or the complaint may be deemed submitted for resolution.

In his counter-affidavit, Torreon argued that he was only performing his duty as the legal counsel of Quiboloy, who police authorities were seeking to arrest at that time.

Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended. He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. —VAL, GMA Integrated News