KINGDOM of Jesus Christ (KOJC) legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon questioned Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III’s move to include Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in the list of ‘most-wanted persons’ during a KOJC press conference held in Davao City.
He stressed that including Pastor Apollo in the ‘most-wanted persons’ list was illegal and wrong based on the memorandum circular of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).
The lawyer explained that there are clear steps and parameters to determine if a person is really ‘most wanted’ or if he is among the top 10 most wanted persons.
“There are actually criteria for the determination as to who will be the top 10 most wanted persons [list], and they are governed by NAPOLCOM’s memorandum circular. There is this NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2019 as amended by NAPOLCOM Circular No. 2022,” according to Atty. Israelito Torreon, Legal counsel, KOJC.
According to Atty. Torreon, determining whether an individual is a most wanted person or a top 10 most wanted person, depends on the gravity of the crimes he has committed.
Whether the crime is heinous, sensational, and has at least two victims.
“Number two. Notoriety of the accused. Degree of his or her involvement. The accused is a habitual delinquent or recidivist. This is the first time that Pastor was charged. He hasn’t even had a trial yet. How can he become a top 10 most wanted criminal?” Atty. Torreon added.
The basis parameters also include the position of the accused in the crime organization or syndicate.
However, Pastor Apollo is not a member of any syndicate. Instead, he leads the religious group, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Another criterion for determining whether an individual can be considered a most-wanted person is the “individual crime” or group scope of the operation and its impact on security, peace, and order in the area.
“What is Pastor’s impact on our community? It’s different. Children’s Joy Foundation, his humanitarian efforts, all of them, on the contrary. It goes against the parameters under NAPOLCOM MC 22-028,” Torreon said.
Finally, Atty. Torreon disclosed that the national headquarters of the PNP is actually forming a “committee on wanted persons,” rather than relying solely on a single individual, such as Gen. Torre.
“And besides, determining this is not just one person. This is a panel. Because there are people who are really terrorists who have killed many people, they should be the top 10. Why suddenly is Pastor included? And is not only in the top 10, he is the “superstar”, because the true most wanted terrorist, has only P7.5 million (bounty). It’s the panel of generals who decide who are the top 10. That’s not determined by only one person,” he stated.
Former cadre lambasts Gen. Torres’ order to release, spread ‘most wanted’ posters vs Pastor Apollo
Meanwhile, former CPP-NPA-NDF National Intelligence Officer Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz criticized General Torre, calling him arrogant for his decision to create and distribute wanted posters against Pastor Apollo and other accused individuals.
According to Celiz, Torre’s arrogance is evident in his unilateral claims of authority and his interpretation of the law.
“He’s not content with his arrogance; he’s taken on the role as if he owns the entire Philippine National Police organization. According to the lawyers earlier, he alone declared the creation of 200 wanted posters against Pastor Quiboloy and his ministers,” Jeffrey “You’re Eric” Celiz, Ex-Nat’l Intel Officer, CPP-NPA-NDF expressed.
As for former NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson Dr. Lorraine Badoy, it is clear that Torre is following orders from above.
“Here, the reward amounts for various crimes range from 1 million for murder, frustrated murder, double murder, and arson, up to P7.5 million for convicted terrorists. Pastor Quiboloy’s reward is P10 million, while he is presumed innocent. It’s clear from my perspective that Torre is following orders, which likely come from someone above him, such as Bongbong Marcos,” stated Dr. Lorraine Badoy, Former NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson.
