Palace: DOJ still reviewing Quiboloy extradition to US

MANILA, Philippines — The government has yet to decide on the request to extradite accused sex offender Apollo Quiboloy as the Department of Justice (DOJ) is still examining documents transmitted by the US government, Malacañang said yesterday.

“The DOJ is still scrutinizing, studying and assessing the voluminous documents submitted to them,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

Castro said among the matters being reviewed is whether the identity of the person subject of the extradition request is indeed Quiboloy.

“Also, whether the principle of double criminality applies. That is whether the charges he would face in the US correspond to offenses that are also punishable under our country’s laws,” she said.

Castro earlier said President Marcos wants the extradition request to be studied carefully.

The DOJ received the formal request from the US to extradite Quiboloy early this month.

The founder of religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ is facing charges of sex trafficking, visa fraud and cash smuggling in the US.

A spiritual adviser of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, Quiboloy is on the most wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for reportedly orchestrating a sex trafficking operation.

Castro earlier said the Philippine government has two options regarding the extradition request: Quiboloy can either stay in the Philippines while on trial or the case can be put on hold for the pastor’s extradition.