The Philippine government has yet to receive from the United States government an official extradition request for detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, despite Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez’s earlier remark that the process is already underway.
In a message to reporters yesterday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Mico Clavano explained that the “Department of Foreign Affairs is supposed to receive such requests first before transmitting them to the DOJ”.
“The SOJ [Secretary of Justice] coordinated with SFA [Secretary of Foreign Affairs] and was informed that DFA has yet to receive the request,” he said.
Earlier, Clavano explained that a person cannot be extradited from the country while a criminal case against him is still pending in local courts to prioritize local jurisdiction.
“The rule is that he must first face trial and, if convicted, serve his sentence here before extradition may proceed. However, courts retain the power to act on cases with urgency, so if circumstances warrant, they may move to resolve proceedings in order not to unduly delay a valid extradition request,” he added.
Similarly, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona said in a statement that “The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro did not receive the US extradition request for Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.”
Meanwhile, Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, acknowledged reports that the U.S. government is seeking the extradition of his client, but noted it might be possible at the moment as the KOJC founder is awaiting trial in the Philippines.
“If the reports are true, we respect the prerogative of the United States of America in doing such a move as it is in consonance with the provisions of the Extradition Treaty between the US and the Philippines,” Torreon said in a statement.
“We are likewise cognizant that under Article 9 of the Treaty, the US can even request the provisional arrest of the subject; however, we feel that such a request may not be necessary at the moment in light of the fact that the ‘urgency’ requirement is absent in this case,” he added.
Torreon noted that Quiboloy is currently awaiting the court’s resolution on his motion for reconsideration after it denied his bail petition.
He urged the Philippine government to exercise its jurisdiction first before deciding to extradite the religious leader to the U.S.
Quiboloy has been in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) “Most Wanted” list for several alleged crimes, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling, among other charges.
As this developed, Manila Second District Rep. Rolando Valeriano said Quiboloy must face the serious charges against him in both the Philippines and the United States, stressing that even the most influential personalities should not escape accountability.
“Pastor Quiboloy is facing very serious offenses. The United States’ request will undergo due process. There is an extradition treaty, and we have a court. As far as I know, the case will be finished first, but at the same time, that (extradition request) should not be set aside,” he said in Filipino.
Valeriano underscored the need for the Philippines to demonstrate that its justice system works without fear or favor.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “DOJ says no formal U.S. request yet of Quiboloy extradition”
