Still no formal US extradition request for Quiboloy —DFA

The Philippine government has still not received a formal request from the US government to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy for him to face his charges there, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

“As you know the Philippines has an extradition treaty with the United States of America. I wish to report that as to this date, the DFA has not received a formal extradition request,” DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo told a Senate panel probing Quiboloy's alleged abuses.

Quiboloy is facing charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling in the United States. He was issued a warrant of arrest by a US court in November 2021.

Quiboloy turned himself in to government authorities in September this year after he was given an ultimatum to yield within 24 hours following days of police search in KOJC compound in Davao City.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said as a matter of policy, it will not comment on extradition matters.

Should the government receive a request, Manalo said the DFA will first look into whether a request is in accordance with the procedure. Afterward the agency will refer it to the Department of Justice for action.

Meanwhile, Manalo said that no foreign service posts in the US has received any request or assistance from individuals who may be victims of human trafficking in relation to Quiboloy’s case.

Despite this, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo said the DFA is on standby. 

“But all our foreign service posts and all our offices in the DFA stand ready, and we have been in consultation and communications with our sister agencies in government,” Domingo said.

Manalo and Domingo issued the remark during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on the alleged abuses committed by Quiboloy and the KOJC.

Quiboloy personally appeared before the Senate, his first since it started its investigation in December 2023, after a regional trial court granted the committee’s request for him and his five co-accused to appear.

The KOJC leader is also facing a child abuse case before a Quezon City court as well as qualified trafficking case before a Pasig court. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Despite his legal troubles, Quiboloy is running for senator in the 2025 elections. —KBK, GMA Integrated News