Deputy Speaker Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun is backing the United States' (US) extradition request for detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy--and his reason for this isn't political in nature.

“Trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes. It destroys lives and preys on the weakest among us. Walang sinuman ang dapat makatakas sa pananagutan, lalo na kung usapin ay pang-aabuso sa kababaihan at kabataan,” Khonghun said.

(No one should escape accountability, especially when the issue is abuse of women and children.)

Khonghun stressed that trafficking is a transnational crime that demands international cooperation, including extradition agreements.

“This is not a political issue. Hindi ito tungkol sa kung sino ang akusado. Kapag ang krimen ay kasing bigat ng trafficking, walang ligtas na teritoryo, at walang dapat protektahan (This is not about who is accused. When the crime is as grave as trafficking, there is no safe territory, and no one should be protected)," he said.

Quiboloy is identified with the Duterte family. In fact, he served as spiritual adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was jailed earlier this year at The Hague in the Netherlands for his own troubles.

“Extradition is more than a technical process—it is a moral obligation. Ipinapakita nito na handa ang bansa natin na papanagutin ang mga mapang-abuso (It shows that our country is ready to hold abusers accountable),” Khonghun said.

He added: “Kapag kababaihan at kabataan ang biktima, hindi puwedeng may makaligtas dahil lang sa impluwensya o kapangyarihan (When women and children are the victims, no one should get away just because of influence or power)."

The deputy speaker warned that shielding the accused from extradition would damage the country’s credibility.

“If we claim to protect our people but allow traffickers to hide here, then we fail not only our victims but also our international commitments. Dapat malinaw: Wala tayong pinapaboran, at wala tayong kinikilalang untouchable (This must he clear: We neither favor anybody nor recognize anyone as untouchable),” Khonghun said.

Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God”, is wanted in the US on charges of sex trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, and immigration fraud. US authorities accuse Quiboloy and his associates of exploiting church members, including minors, in a years-long scheme.

In the Philippines, Quiboloy also faces human trafficking and child abuse cases filed by former church members who alleged sexual exploitation and coercion.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has said his legal troubles in the country must first be resolved before the extradition process with the US can proceed.