Quiboloy awaits notice on US extradition bid

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy is prepared to oppose the United States’ request for his extradition once a formal petition is filed, with his legal team insisting the pastor’s rights will be defended before Philippine courts.

Ferdinand Topacio, one of Quiboloy’s counsels, said yesterday that they have yet to receive any formal court notice despite reports that the US has requested Quiboloy’s extradition.

“We have not yet received any summons or official notice that extradition proceedings have begun. So far, our information has come only from media reports,” Topacio said over dzBB.?

He described Quiboloy’s extradition as “extremely unfeasible,” arguing that under internationally recognized principles, a person facing criminal prosecution in one country is generally allowed to complete the proceedings before being surrendered to another jurisdiction.

“Unless our government again chooses to meekly surrender its jurisdiction to a foreign power,” Topacio added.

He stressed that the decision on the extradition request would ultimately rest with the judiciary, not the executive branch.

Topacio said Quiboloy has already been informed of the reported extradition request by his lawyers. Once formally served with the petition, Topacio said the defense would immediately file its response.

“As always, we are ready to defend the rights and interests of Pastor Quiboloy under the Constitution and our other laws,” Topacio said.

Meanwhile, Palace press officer Claire Castro said yesterday that the Philippine government will evaluate the US request for the extradition, noting that the Department of Justice has received “voluminous records” from Washington coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, in an interview over dzBB yesterday, said Quiboloy could be brought to Los Angeles, which has jurisdiction over the charges leveled against him.

“They have their own plane to fetch Pastor Quiboloy and take him to the place where the crime supposedly was committed. In this case, maybe Los Angeles,” Romualdez said.