‘Quiboloy ready to face extradition proceedings’

MANILA, Philippines — Detained pastor and alleged sex trafficker Apollo Quiboloy will defend himself in the extradition case against him, as he faces multiple criminal charges in the United States, his lawyer said.

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ founding leader “has been informed of the extradition proceedings filed against him,” according to his lawyer Israelito Torreon.

“They do not come as a surprise to him. He has expected them, and he is ready to face them in court, through the proper legal process and before the proper forum,” Torreon wrote on Facebook over the weekend.

Previously, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported the Makati Regional Trial Court’s issuance of extradition arrest warrants and hold departure orders against Quiboloy and his co-accused, Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag.

Quiboloy is detained at the Pasig City Jail, while Dandan and Panilag remain at large.

The court orders were based on the extradition request by the US government. The court orders should compel the three accused to face charges of international human trafficking, sex trafficking, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling.

Torreon maintained that Quiboloy has “trusts in the rule of law,” and that “he will answer the allegations against him where they belong, in a court of law, where evidence – and not public opinion – decides.”

He pointed out he would act as lawyer for Quiboloy in the charges of qualified human trafficking and child abuse before courts in Pasig and Quezon City, and not in the extradition case.