DFA: No US extradition request yet for Quiboloy

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum at Shangri-La The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Tuesday (May 21, 2024) (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to receive a formal extradition request from the United States for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

“As you know, the Philippines has an extradition treaty with the United States of America. I wish to report that as of this date, the Department of Foreign Affairs has not received a formal extradition request from the United States,” DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo told the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Wednesday.

He, however, assured lawmakers they are on standby in case a request will be made.

As a general approach to receiving an extradition request, the DFA chief said they need to study it before turning it over to the Department of Justice.

“If we do receive a formal request, the DFA will study it and see if it is consistent with the agreed procedure pertaining to the extradition. After we are satisfied with the request, we will of course refer it to the Department of Justice for relevant action,” Manalo explained.

Apart from cases filed in the Philippines, Quiboloy is also indicted by a federal grand jury in the US for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

The Philippine and US governments signed an extradition treaty in Manila on November 13, 1994, which entered into force on November 22, 1996.

Meanwhile, Manalo also reported to the Senate panel that they had not received any request for assistance yet from Philippine nationals in the US who may have been victims of human trafficking about the case.

“As of this date, none of our foreign service posts in the United States have reported receiving any request of assistance,” he said.

Manalo assured the committee that the DFA is ready for any request for assistance from the alleged victims of Quiboloy in the US.