House Deputy Speaker and Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun on Sunday backed the United States government’s reported extradition bid for detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, saying the Philippines must show it will never protect those accused of trafficking and exploiting women and children.
“Trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes. It destroys lives and preys on the weakest among us. Nobody must evade accountability, especially when we talk about abuses against women and children,” Khonghun said in a statement.
He emphasized that trafficking is a transnational crime, which demands international cooperation and is covered by extradition agreements.
Khonghun cited the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, or Palermo Convention, ratified by the Philippines in 2002, which obliges states to prosecute offenders and protect victims.
“This is not a political issue. This is not about the accused. If the crime is that heinous, such as trafficking, there must be no territory and that nobody can be protected,” he noted.
Khonghun said extradition is both a legal duty and a moral stand. He warned that shielding the accused from extradition would damage the country’s credibility.
“If we claim to protect our people but allow traffickers to hide here, then we fail not only our victims but also our international commitments. That is clear — we do not give favor to anyone, and do not recognize if one is untouchable,” he said.
Quiboloy is wanted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation on charges of sex trafficking, bulk cash smuggling and immigration fraud, among other alleged crimes.
