MANILA — The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued an extradition warrant of arrest and hold departure order against detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy and two of his associates, following a formal extradition petition filed on behalf of the United States government.
In a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the Makati RTC Branch 145 issued the order on Nov. 12 covering Quiboloy, together with KOJC officials Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Helen Panilag.
The DOJ said the court issued the arrest order “after finding probable cause that the three individuals are the same persons named in the corresponding foreign arrest warrant and indictment, that the offenses charged are extraditable, and that the respondents committed the offenses alleged.”
Under the Supreme Court’s Rules on Extradition Proceedings, once the court is notified that the arrest warrants have been implemented, summonses and copies of the petition will be personally served on the respondents, who will have 15 days to file a verified answer.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida assured that cases of the victims in the Philippines will not be sidelined, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s rules on extradition provide a clear constitutional framework for resolving legal challenges.
“Nananalig tayo na ang korte at ang hukuman ay may kaukulang training o kaalaman para ilapat yung tamang batas sa partikular na sitwasyon,” Vida said.
Invoking the separation of powers among the three branches of government, the justice chief stressed that the executive branch enforces the law, while the Supreme Court serves as the “final arbiter.”
“Walang ibang dapat gawin ang bawat Pilipino kundi igalang kung ano ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema kasi yun ang talagang magpapatibay ng ating paninindigan sa rule of law,” he added.
The US government’s extradition request sent last August is rooted in a sweeping November 2021 indictment unsealed by a federal grand jury in the Central District of California.
US federal prosecutors charged Quiboloy, Dandan, Panilag, and several other church officials with conspiracy, child sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, as well as marriage fraud, visa fraud, money laundering, and bulk cash smuggling.
Prior to his indictment in the US, Quiboloy was already detained in the Philippines facing parallel criminal charges.
In March 2024, following a high-profile Senate investigation into allegations of widespread abuse within the KOJC, the Philippine DOJ filed non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges against Quiboloy and five co-accused before a Pasig City court.
Separate charges of child and sexual abuse were also filed against him before a Quezon City court.
Quiboloy was arrested and taken into custody in September 2024. Under the 1994 Philippines-United States Extradition Treaty, Philippine authorities have the option to either postpone his surrender until his local trials and any resulting sentences are completed, or temporarily transfer him to US custody to stand trial before returning him to the Philippines.
Quiboloy has consistently denied all allegations against him in both the Philippines and the United States. (Tetch Torres-Tupas © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
