By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – A formal request to extradite detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy is “forthcoming,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez disclosed on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum in Parañaque City, the envoy said the request would come in the form of 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 said.
The formal request would be cascaded from the US Department of Justice to the US Department of State, which would then submit the diplomatic note to the DFA.
The envoy noted that the final say on whether Quiboloy could be extradited despite his pending cases in the Philippines would be from 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 said.
The US extradition request is in connection with Quiboloy’s 2021 indictment filed in California, which includes charges of sex trafficking of minors, fraud and bulk cash smuggling.
The Philippines signed an extradition treaty with the United States in November 1994.
Under Article 11, it allows the requested state to “temporarily surrender” the person in question if he/she is “being prosecuted or is serving a sentence” in the country.
If the extradition pushes through, Quiboloy would be kept in custody in the US and “shall be returned” to the Philippines after the conclusion of the proceedings against him, based on the treaty. (PNA)
