MANILA, Philippines – The United States has already submitted its request for the extradition of controversial church leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said.
In a text message to DZRH, Romualdez said that the extradition documents were sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Yes, they sent the extradition documents to the DOJ,” he confirmed to DZRH.
He also mentioned that the “documents and pieces of evidences” in Quiboloy’s cases are already with the Justice Department since June.
A warrant was issued by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against Quiboloy in 2021, after he was indicted for numerous crimes, particularly sex trafficking by force, sex trafficking of children, fraud, and coercion.
Quiboloy is also accused of bringing church members to the United States with fraudulently obtained visas, and forcing such members to solicit donations, allegedly to finance church operations, as well as support its leaders “lavish lifestyles,” according to the FBI Most Wanted website.
He also allegedly recruited females to work as his personal assistants, called “pastorals” ; even requiring them to have sex with him.
“Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty,” the FBI website added.
Meanwhile, in a statement to media, DOJ Spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano explained that in general, local jurisdiction takes priority, which means a person cannot be extradited from the Philippines while there is a pending criminal case against him in court.
"The rule is that he must first face trial and, if convicted, serve his sentence here before extradition may proceed," said Clavano.
"However, courts retain the power to act on cases with urgency, so if circumstances warrant, we may move to resolve proceedings in order not to unduly delay a valid extradition request," he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, declined to comment on the matter and referred all questions to the DOJ.
