Quiboloy still in PH, says DOJ's Clavano

Controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is declared wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for sex trafficking charges, is still in the Philippines, according to Department of Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano on Thursday.

''Yes, we do have information that he is still within the country unless there’re new developments from the police. But, as far as our information is concerned at the DOJ, he is currently still in the country,'' Clavano said at a Palace press briefing.

Asked about the hold departure order against Quiboloy, Clavano said it was already brought up, noting that the prosecutors have already filed their motion.

''These are normal legal processes that the prosecutors are very used to. So, once you have a respondent or an accused, that is a flight risk especially given the resources that this person has, then the prosecutors are very diligent in making sure that that doesn’t happen – that the accused is able to leave the country without actually facing the allegations in the proper forum,'' Clavano said. 

Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said that the embassy there has not received an official request for the extradition of Quiboloy. 

Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), was indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

In 2022, the FBI issued “Wanted” posters for Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “appointed son of god,” and two other members of his KOJC, namely Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Helen Panilag.

Quiboloy is "wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders," the FBI said.

Here at home, a Davao court has issued a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and five others over charges of child abuse. An arrest warrant was also issued by a Pasig court for Quiboloy for human trafficking charges.

The Senate has also issued an arrest order against Quiboloy for "unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices," at hearings on his alleged involvement in the sexual abuse of his members and human trafficking issues.

Quiboloy maintained innocence over the allegations thrown against him. —VAL, GMA Integrated News