5 hours Ago By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE Department of Foreign Affairs has formally informed the Senate that the United States has not yet requested for the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. “I wish to report that as of this date the Department of Foreign Affairs has not received a formal extradition request from the United States,” DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said during the resumption of the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations Wednesday. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has put Quiboloy under its Most Wanted List after he was indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court in Santa Ana, California on charges of Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion; Conspiracy; Bulk Cash Smuggling.
FBI said Quiboloy has been alleged to have participated in a labor trafficking scheme that brought KOJC members to the US using fraudulently obtained visas. KOJC members were also allegedly “forced to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.” “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 poster on Quiboloy reads.
The so-called “Appointed Son of God” is also facing charges before the Pasig and Quezon City regional trial courts for human trafficking and sexual abuses. Committee member Sen. Francis Tolentino asked Manalo what the DFA would do if the US has finally requested for Quiboloy’s extradition.
“In the event that we receive a formal extradition request, just to say if we do receive a formal request, the DFA will of course study it and see if it is consistent with the agreed procedure pertaining to extradition,” Manalo said. If the DFA is “satisfied” with the documents presented by the US, then it would refer the extradition request to the Department of Justice for relevant action. Under the Philippine-US Extradition Treaty, both countries agree to extradite persons who are facing charges or have been convicted of an offense that is punishable under the laws of both parties by a prison term of at least one year.
The requested party may only deny the extradition request if the offense is punishable by death in the requesting state. Manalo also informed the Senate committee that neither the Philippine Embassy nor Philippine consulates in the US have received any complaints from supposed victims of human trafficking from KOJC members. “The DFA is ready to assist in providing any information that we may receive from this date relevant to the to today’s legislative inquiry,” Manalo said.
DFA Undersecretary Jesus Domingo said they are also “informal consultations and communications” with other government agencies about the case of KOJC founder. Image credits:.
