US has not yet requested Quiboloy extradition – DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has yet to receive a request from the United States to extradite pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing multiple charges of sex and labor trafficking in the US, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.

Remulla said the request “has to pass through a lot of channels” in the US government and it would have to go through the Department of Foreign Affairs first before making it to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We are waiting for the request of the US government on this matter,” he said at a press briefing.

Quiboloy, who is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted List, has claimed there is a plot to have him killed, prompting him to go into hiding despite a subpoena issued to him to appear before a Senate investigation.

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader and self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” accused the US government of orchestrating a plan to assassinate him.

Quiboloy said the supposed scheme would involve hit men storming his compound to kidnap and eventually murder him.

He also implicated President Marcos in the plot, claiming there was a conspiracy with the US.

Remulla said Quiboloy is also facing two pending charges in the Philippines – for rape and cyberlibel – still undergoing review before the DOJ.

He said resolving the cases is his top priority but admitted it’s not the DOJ’s call “on everything.”

“Locally, it’s our call on the petition for review, but in terms of extradition it is something beyond our control,” Remulla said.

The Bureau of Immigration has not released any Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO), which is different from a hold departure order issued by a court, against Quiboloy.

An ILBO directs immigration personnel to note and report to the DOJ if a subject leaves the country.

Remulla said the DOJ has received a letter from Sen. Risa Hontiveros requesting an ILBO against Quiboloy, but he said “it will take more than a letter for us to issue an order.”

A Senate inquiry, led by Hontiveros, is looking into the supposed crimes, including sexual abuse, committed in the KJC.

The Quiboloy camp on Monday accused the Senate of abuse of power after Hontiveros warned that he could be arrested if he fails to comply with the subpoena issued against him.

In a radio interview, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said his client is still considering whether or not to attend the investigation into the alleged abuses within the KJC ministry.

“This is not an inquiry in aid of legislation, it is an inquiry in aid of persecution, because during the speech of Senator Risa Hontiveros, she already declared Pastor Quiboloy guilty,” he said.