MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has underscored that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy must first answer charges before Philippine courts before any extradition to the United States can proceed.
DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said, “The rule is that he must first face trial and, if convicted, serve his sentence here before extradition may proceed.”
He added that courts may act faster if circumstances require.
“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,” he said.
Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), is detained on child abuse and human trafficking charges in the Philippines. In the US, he faces multiple indictments, including sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling. A federal grand jury indicted him in 2021, and he is on the FBI’s most wanted list.
His counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, appealed for the government to let Philippine courts finish their proceedings first.
“We can only manifest our sincerest hope that the Philippine government would exercise its sovereign option to allow the Philippine courts to fully exercise its jurisdiction over Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s case before it will decide to transfer Pastor ACQ to the US,” he said.
Torreon cited Article 11 of the 1994 Extradition Treaty, saying, “It is within the discretion of the requested state (Philippines) whether to allow Pastor ACQ to be extradited to the US whether the case against him is pending or has already been decided against him.”
He also noted Article 9, which allows provisional arrest, but argued it is not necessary since Quiboloy remains in custody.
“Such request for provisional arrest may not be necessary as of the moment in the light of the fact that the ‘urgency’ requirement under that section is absent in this case as Pastor Quiboloy is in jail awaiting resolution of his motion for reconsideration from the denial of his petition for bail,” Torreon said.
The US government transmitted supporting documents for its extradition request in June, stressing it is “seriously seeking” Quiboloy’s surrender. Under the treaty, the Philippines must promptly notify the US of its decision and, if extradition is granted, coordinate the time and place of surrender./PN
