The documents seeking the extradition of embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) teleevangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted there for trafficking charges, among others, are already with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy (File Photo)
“The extradition documents are with the DOJ,” the envoy confirmed in a viber message to the Manila Bulletin.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) likewise deferred to the DOJ for the US’ extradition request of Quiboloy, who is facing child sex trafficking, engaging in sex with minors, fraud, and money laundering charges there.
“To those who are asking about this subject, for now we refer to DOJ,” a statement from the DFA said, noting the DOJ received the extradition request from US last June.
"As Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez stated, the documents were sent to the DOJ as early as June and not to DFA," it added.
Asked if the Philippines has already notified the US through the diplomatic channel of its decision on the extradition request, Romualdez replied: “Not yet.”
Quiboloy, who is detained for child abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking at the Pasig City Jail, was indicted by a US federal grand jury in 2021 and landed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) most wanted list.
With an existing extradition treaty between them, the Philippines is mandated to notify the US through diplomatic channels of its decision on the request.
Earlier, it was understood that the pastor has to face his domestic cases first before he could be sent to the US.
Quiboloy surrendered to authorities in September 2024 after weeks of hiding at the KOJC compound in Davao City, where hundreds of his supporters tried to block his arrest.