PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez yesterday said Washington has requested Manila to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy is facing a string of cases in the US, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.
He is also included in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s list of most wanted persons.
Romualdez said that the extradition request was coursed through the Department of Justice (DOJ) in “June this year.”
When asked to confirm the extradition request, the Department of Foreign Affairs declined to confirm the report, and instead said: “To those who are asking about this subject, for now we refer to DOJ.”
Sought for comment, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also did not provide a categorical answer.
“I will know later,” was all that Remulla answered to reporters’ queries about the reported US extradition request.
DOJ assistant secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano also said he has “no information yet on the extradition” request for Quiboloy.
Under the 1994 extradition treaty between the Philippines and the US, extradition requests must be coursed through diplomatic channels and supported by documents identifying the person sought to be extradited.
Manila is required to promptly notify the US of its decision, and if granted, the parties will determine the time and place of surrender.
The same process is observed if the Philippines seeks the extradition of a US national.
Clavano explained that in general, a person cannot be extradited from the Philippines to any requesting country while a criminal case against him/her is still pending in local courts since local jurisdiction takes priority.
“The rule is that he (Quiboloy) 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, we may move to resolve proceedings in order not to unduly delay a valid extradition request,” Clavano said.
Quiboloy was arrested last year after several weeks in hiding on the basis of a warrants issued by trial courts in Quezon City and Pasig City.
He is facing qualified human trafficking case, a non-bailable offense under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court.
He is also facing charges for child abuse and exploitation before a Quezon City court.
Quiboloy, who is a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has denied all the accusations.
