Marcos: No US extradition request yet for Quiboloy

There is no request yet from the United States government regarding the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday.

“The extradition request is not yet there,” Marcos said during an ambush interview with Palace reporters, noting that local judicial process has to be done first. 

''We have --- what has been done is that we have implemented and enforced an arrest warrant that was issued by the court. And therefore it is now between – it is now in the court’s hands, wala na sa executive ito. Kami sa executive ang ginawa lang namin in-implement lang namin, in-enforce lang namin ang order ng court (It's no longer within the executive, we just implement the order of the court),'' he added.

Police earlier said Quiboloy surrendered in Davao City after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said law enforcers gave the controversial religious leader the ultimatum to surrender or they would be forced to enter a building in the KOJC compound in Davao City where he was believed to be hiding.

According to Marcos, Quiboloy has been sending surrender feelers over the last two to three weeks. He said the administration has been very clear to his camp that the pastor's conditions could not be granted by the government.

''You have to decide what you want to do but we cannot… We will… We are ordered by the court to enforce this order and that’s what we are going to do. And the putting of conditions is not an option for somebody who is actually a fugitive,'' he said.

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

The KOJC founder has also been 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.

Quiboloy has denied all allegations thrown against him. His lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said the religious leader surrendered to stop the "lawless violence" at the KOJC compound.

The police have been trying to implement arrest warrants against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound since August 24. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News