'Phl trial first for Quiboloy before extradition'

There is no request from the US for the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy, but even if one were to be sent, the alleged sex abuser and human trafficker and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) would be made to undergo trial first in the Philippines before such request can be granted, President Marcos said yesterday.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

“The extradition request is not yet there,” Marcos told reporters in Taguig City, adding that Quiboloy would first have to deal with several criminal complaints he is facing in the Philippines.

Quiboloy is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s wanted list for sex trafficking, fraud and money laundering.

“We will have to look at that,” Marcos said, referring to a US request for extradition. “But for the moment, we are not looking at extradition. What we are looking at are the cases and complaints filed in the Philippines and he needs to face them first,” he said.

“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 is no longer in the executive,” the President said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Quiboloy “may have to face the music here” even if the US can be expected to file a request for the religious leader’s extradition.

“He made it very difficult for the police to find him, he also caused suffering to the country. He should be tried here,” Remulla said.

He added he would instruct prosecutors to prepare all the evidence against the controversial religious sect leader and his co-accused so they could ask for a continuous trial.

But he would discuss tomorrow with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin a possible US request for Quiboloy’s extradition.

In a separate statement, the Department of Justice said Quiboloy would be tried first in the Philippines and if convicted, would be made to serve his sentence in the country before getting extradited on US request. Quiboloy is detained at the PNP Custodial Facility at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Quiboloy is facing charges for violation of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.