Duterte's Charges Dismissed: Key Figures Cleared in Controversial Davao City Raid

Duterte's Complaints Against Abalos and Marbil Dismissed: Prosecutors Cite Lack of Evidence Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's criminal complaints against former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil have been partially dismissed. The dismissal, announced on May 13, 2025, stems from a controversial police operation conducted in Davao City on June 10, 2024, targeting the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound. The operation, involving hundreds of police officers, resulted in allegations of forced entry and damage to property. The resolution from the prosecution stated, "Absent any overt act that constitutes an element of the crimes charged, and in the absence of malice, unlawful intent, or personal participation, this office finds no probable cause exists to warrant the indictment of the respondents." This suggests that the prosecution found insufficient evidence to link Abalos and Marbil directly to the alleged offenses. The video footage shown in the Rappler report supports this conclusion by visually demonstrating the absence of the accused officials from the scene of the incident. While the dismissal of charges is significant, the underlying events—the police operation and subsequent complaints—highlight ongoing tensions and controversies within the Philippines' political landscape. The case underscores the importance of thorough investigation and the need for clear evidence in prosecuting high-profile individuals.