Gov’t has no say in Quiboloy’s possible extradition to US: DOJ

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Quiboloy is wanted for violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act and Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. (PNA file photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The Philippine government could not dictate the fate of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy when it comes to his possible extradition to the United States (US), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Saturday.

This was after Quiboloy’s camp reiterated the embattled pastor’s condition for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to issue a written guarantee that he would not be extradited to the US where he was indicted for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking of children.

“‘Yung sinasabi niya na guarantee (About the guarantee that he is asking [from the government]), no one in government can give that guarantee,” DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

“That is a legal issue that needs to be carefully studied kasi (because) in the first place, no government official would want to violate the law. And lahat ng treaties po natin (all our treaties) have the force of law once they are signed and concurred in by Senate. That is part of our legal obligation. And you can just imagine if we renege on our international obligation in favor of an individual.”

Vasquez, however, noted that the US has yet to request Quiboloy’s extradition.

In case the US does make a request, he said, Quiboloy’s possible extradition would lie in the hands of the proper court that would hear the KOJC leader’s case.

The government will be fair in handling Quiboloy’s case, Vasquez assured, noting that the DOJ’s role is to handle requests for extradition.

“I-expect naman nila (They could expect) that things will be acted upon fairly and the courts are, as you know, ang daming ebidensiya niyan (there must be plenty of evidence),” he said.

“I think that’s part of the process. The wheel of justice is working perfectly fine. It may be grinding slowly but it does work.”

Vasquez said the “best” option for Quiboloy is to “come out, present his evidence, present himself, and address the charges.”

He assured the fugitive KOJC leader of “a fair and impartial trial.”

Quiboloy is wanted for violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act and Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

He is also on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s wanted list.

The police are now halfway through its search at the KOJC compound in Davao City to find Quiboloy who is believed to be hiding inside the facility.