Phot courtesy of Avito Dalan/PNA
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is assessing the United States’ formal request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, while weighing how the move could affect his pending criminal cases in the Philippines.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the DOJ had received the supporting documents transmitted by the US Department of State through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Vida said the request would be reviewed under the Philippines-US extradition treaty, with particular attention to whether Quiboloy’s ongoing prosecution before local courts could delay or complicate his transfer.
He added that the DOJ would also consider applicable laws, treaty provisions and Supreme Court rulings before reaching a decision.
Quiboloy is facing a qualified human trafficking case before the Pasig Regional Trial Court and a separate sexual abuse and maltreatment case before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
The US request stems from a 2021 indictment in California involving charges that include sex trafficking of minors, visa fraud and bulk cash smuggling.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said Washington wanted Quiboloy extradited as soon as possible because of the cases pending against him there.
Under the extradition treaty, Philippine authorities may either temporarily surrender Quiboloy to US custody for trial or postpone the transfer until his local cases are resolved.