Quiboloy extradition to US 'inevitable', says PH envoy

The extradition to the United States of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is "inevitable," Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Friday (US time).

"If Pastor Quiboloy is guilty, he has to face the music in the Philippines. But here, he also faces numerous cases and witnesses coming forward openly, citing instances of abuse, human trafficking, sex trafficking, and child abuse connected to the pastor. All these need to go through the justice system," Romualdez told GMA Integrated News.

"So at some point in time we'll have to face up to it also that the extradition is inevitable," he added.

GMA News Online contacted KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon and Quiboloy's lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio for comment but have yet to receive their replies.

Quiboloy surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Davao City on September 8 after the Philippine National Police combed through the KOJC compound since August 24 to serve the arrest warrant issued by a court against him and his co-accused.

He was flown to Metro Manila and taken to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City that night.

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.

Quiboloy pleaded not guilty to the human trafficking and child abuse raps.

However, he is also facing charges in the US.

In November 2021, US prosecutors indicted Quiboloy, along with others, for allegedly orchestrating a sex trafficking operation that preyed on victims as young as 12, using threats of "eternal damnation" and physical abuse.

The FBI disclosed that a warrant for Quiboloy's arrest was issued on November 10, 2021.

Numerous cases and witnesses have surfaced, detailing the alleged abuses within Quiboloy's supposed sex trafficking network.

The KOJC leader is currently accused in the US of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking using force, fraud, and coercion, as well as sex trafficking of children, among other charges.

Two other co-accused individuals in the US cases against Quiboloy, listed on the FBI's most wanted, remain at large. American citizens Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag are believed to be evading authorities in the Philippines.

Consistently, Quiboloy's camp has refuted the accusations leveled against him.

Quiboloy earlier said he was ready to face his cases in the Philippines provided that the Marcos administration give him written assurance that the US would not interfere in his legal battle in the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dubbed this condition as immaterial.

The KOJC leader had previously accused the US government, allegedly with help from Philippine government officials, of plotting to "eliminate" him through rendition in connection with the cases he is facing in the US.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they are expecting the US to file an extradition request for Quiboloy very soon but the KOJC leader should face the charges filed against him in the Philippines first.

As of September 9, there has been no request yet from the US regarding Quiboloy's extradition, Marcos said.

The US Department of Justice said it will not comment on extradition matters as a matter of policy, after Quiboloy surrendered to Philippine authorities. —with a report from Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News