(UPDATES) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy must first answer the charges filed against him in Philippine courts before there is any talk of his extradition to the United States.
Quiboloy, who surrendered to government forces on Sunday, has warrants for his arrest for violating Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
He was also slapped with a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
“For the moment, we are not looking at extradition. We are focusing on the cases filed in the Philippines,” Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.
“The extradition request is not yet there. Besides the judicial processes that Apollo Quiboloy is going to have to go through now locally still have to be done,” Marcos said in an interview.
“What has been done is that we have implemented and enforced an arrest warrant that was issued by the court. And therefore … it is now in the court’s hands. It’s no longer within the executive; we just implement the order of the court,” he said.
The President said Quiboloy would receive no special treatment, but the evangelist’s lawyers have already asked that he be transferred from the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) because of security issues and that they would seek house arrest.
In the United States, Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy, self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” and ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, surrendered in Davao on Sunday amid a massive two-week police search of his sect’s sprawling compound.
It is not known if the United States has formally sought the extradition of Quiboloy, aged at least 74, according to the FBI.
Quiboloy, whose sect claims millions of followers, is facing charges in Manila of child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Quiboloy was indicted in 2021 by US prosecutors for operating a trafficking ring that forced girls and young women to engage in sexual acts with him by threatening them with “eternal damnation.”
He is also sought by US authorities for bulk cash smuggling and a scheme that brought church members to the United States using fraudulently obtained visas.
They were then forced to solicit donations for a bogus charity, raising funds that were instead used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders, according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Quiboloy’s camp has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said while the priority would be to resolve the local cases, he expected the US to file for extradition.
“We expect the US to apply for an extradition request. Remember, we have a treaty with the US. We will have to study it properly so we’ll know what to do,” Remulla said.
“My instruction to the prosecution will be to prepare all the evidence so we can request a continuous trial in order to quickly resolve the cases that need to be tried,” he added.
Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday vowed to file more complaints against those who obstruct the arrest of Quiboloy.
In a press conference in Camp Crame, Abalos said the authorities are contemplating filing cases against those they think prevented Quiboloy’s arrest after they discovered that he was hiding in the KOJC compound in Davao City.
“This is my only warning. With all these things that happened, I’m sure someone should be guilty of obstruction of justice for harboring, concealing someone who is wanted,” Abalos said.
“Like what the police chief said, there were many deceptions. Second, the public is the witness of how we, General Torre, were stopped several times … We should investigate this, and those guilty should be sued accordingly,” he added.
At least 29 KOJC members are facing complaints after 60 police officers were hurt implementing the arrest warrants against Quiboloy.
PRO 11 spokesman Maj. Catherine de la Rey said obstruction of justice and direct assault complaints had been filed against the KOJC members.
The Philippine National Police on Sunday said Quiboloy surrendered after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.
PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said the police gave Quiboloy the ultimatum to surrender, otherwise, a building in the KOJC compound in Davao City would be entered by authorities.
Negotiations started at around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Quiboloy turned himself in to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) at around 5:30 p.m. Also now in government custody are Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Crisente Canada and Syliva Cemañes, Quiboloy’s co-accused.
Quiboloy was brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City around 9:10 p.m.
KOJC legal counsel Israelito Torreon said Quiboloy decided to surrender to the police and military to stop the “lawless violence” in the KOJC compound.
“Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy decided to surrender to the PNP/AFP because he does not want the lawless violence to continue to happen in the KOJC Compound,” Torreon said.
“He could not bear to witness a second longer the sufferings that his flock was experiencing for many days,” he added.
The police have been trying to implement arrest warrants against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound since Aug. 24.
Torreon said Quiboloy was not inside the compound at the time but “snuck in” to surrender.
Marcos said the peaceful surrender of Quiboloy was “police work at its best” and lauded the PNP for enforcing the law and coordinating with other agencies and the AFP.
“As you can imagine all through these past months, all the intelligence services were involved. Both in the police, both in the AFP, even our civilian intelligence services, I have to commend our PNP. This is police work at its best. This is what the PNP can do when led well, and we have good understanding and coordination with other agencies. This is what policemen do. They go after and enforce court orders and go after those who have been — those who have had cases filed against them,” Marcos told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Summit held in Taguig City.
“It is really with some relief that I can say that at least this part, this phase of that operation is now over. And we now leave Mr. Quiboloy to the judiciary, to the judicial system,” he added.
The PNP on Monday presented Quiboloy to the media.
Quiboloy’s face was covered with a black cap, sunglasses and a black mask.
He and his other co-accused were wearing orange shirts, indicating that they are persons under PNP custody.
Abalos said that during the continuation of the police operation at the KOJC compound in Davao City on Friday, some witnesses gave information on the location of Quiboloy.
That was when they prepared for the final assault, and an ultimatum was issued to the fugitive evangelist.
