Pastor Quiboloy Will Face Trial, Serve Any Sentence Before Extradition – Philippines' Justice Dept.

The Philippines’ Department of Justice has stated that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who was arrested on charges of child and sexual abuse and allegations of human trafficking in the Philippines will first face trial and serve any sentence in the country before any extradition request is granted.

The Department of Justice disclosed this in a statement on Monday while acknowledging the country’s extradition treaty with the U.S.

Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “owner of the universe” and “appointed son of god”, is also wanted by Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U.S. on charges of sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.

Quiboloy, who has rejected all charges, is followed by millions of people in the Philippines, where church leaders hold heavy sway in politics. He is also a longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Reacting to Quiboloy’s arrest, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday: “There is no special treatment. We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights.”

“We will demonstrate once again that our judicial system in the Phiippines is active, vibrant and working,” he added.

Marcos said Quiboloy’s camp had set conditions for his surrender, including a guarantee he would not be sent to the United States to face charges.

“Putting conditions is not an option for someone who is a fugitive,” Marcos said, describing the law enforcement operation to capture Quiboloy as “police work at its best”.

“It is with some relief that I can say that this phase of the operation is over. We will now leave Quiboloy to the judicial system,” he said. 

More than 2,000 police were deployed to search a sprawling compound in the southern city of Davao owned by Quiboloy’s church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), on suspicion that he was hiding there in a bunker.

Philippine police spokesperson Jean Fajardo said on Sunday Quiboloy was captured inside the compound, but did not provide details.

Source: Reuters