Manila: A formal request to extradite the detained leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Apollo Quiboloy, is ‘forthcoming,’ as revealed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez. The announcement was made during the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum held in Para±aque City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Romualdez stated that the extradition request would be initiated via a note verbale. “There is a request but the formal one, which will set the ball rolling, basically, is the formal note verbale, which the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is waiting for,” he explained. The process involves the US Department of Justice sending the request to the US Department of State, which would then forward the diplomatic note to the DFA.
Romualdez emphasized that the decision on Quiboloy’s extradition, despite ongoing cases against him in the Philippines, ultimately rests with the Philippine Department of Justice. “I think it will be up to Secretary (Jesus Crispin) Remulla on whether he will allow this to take precedence,” he remarked.
The US extradition request is associated with Quiboloy’s 2021 indictment in California, which includes serious charges such as sex trafficking of minors, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling. The Philippines and the United States have an extradition treaty, signed in November 1994, which permits the temporary surrender of individuals under prosecution or serving a sentence in the requested state.
Should the extradition proceed, Quiboloy would be detained in the US and returned to the Philippines upon the conclusion of the legal proceedings against him, as stipulated by the treaty.
