The camp of detained preacher Apollo Quiboloy has appealed to the Philippine government to let local courts settle his pending cases before acting on a possible extradition request from the United States.
In a statement on Thursday, lawyer Israelito Torreon stressed that they have not received any official communication regarding extradition. “Hence, we can only manifest our sincerest hope that the Philippine Government would exercise its sovereign option to allow the Philippine courts to fully exercise its jurisdiction over Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s (ACQ) case before it decides to transfer Pastor ACQ to the U.S.,” Torreon said.
He acknowledged that Washington has the right to file such a request under the Philippines-U.S. extradition treaty, but maintained that Quiboloy’s detention makes provisional arrest unnecessary. The preacher is currently jailed in Pasig City while awaiting the resolution of his motion for reconsideration after being denied bail.
Torreon further noted that under the treaty, the Philippine government retains the discretion to decide whether or not to extradite Quiboloy even if his cases in the country are still pending.
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier confirmed that Washington has sought Quiboloy’s extradition. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Justice clarified that they have yet to receive any formal request.
Quiboloy is wanted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged involvement in sex and labor trafficking, money laundering, immigration fraud, and bulk cash smuggling. American prosecutors accuse him of exploiting church members through sham marriages, fraudulent fundraising, and visa fraud to bankroll the operations of his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
In the Philippines, Quiboloy also faces child and sex abuse charges alongside other KOJC officials. He remains detained while court proceedings continue.
