Philippines not looking to extradite Quiboloy | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Philippines not looking to extradite Quiboloy
Philippines not looking to extradite Quiboloy
Published Sep 09, 2024 11:46 AM PHT
|
Updated Sep 09, 2024 02:24 PM PHT
The Philippines is not currently looking to extradite a Filipino pastor wanted for child sex trafficking in the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday after the suspect's arrest.
The Philippines is not currently looking to extradite a Filipino pastor wanted for child sex trafficking in the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday after the suspect's arrest.
Apollo Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" and ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, surrendered in the southern city of Davao on Sunday amid a massive two-week police search of his sect's sprawling compound.
Apollo Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" and ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, surrendered in the southern city of Davao on Sunday amid a massive two-week police search of his sect's sprawling compound.
The US charged the Kingdom of Jesus Christ preacher in 2021 with sex trafficking of girls and women aged 12-25 to work as personal assistants, who were allegedly required to have sex with him.
The US charged the Kingdom of Jesus Christ preacher in 2021 with sex trafficking of girls and women aged 12-25 to work as personal assistants, who were allegedly required to have sex with him.
"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 Manila conference.
"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 Manila conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is not known if the United States has formally sought the extradition of Quiboloy, aged at least 74 according to the FBI.
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, whose sect claims millions of followers, is facing charges in Manila of child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he expected the United States to request for Quiboloy’s extradition “very soon.”
"We expect the US to file an extradition request very soon since he's already in custody. So and remember, we have a treaty with the US, it's part of the law of the land. So we will have to play it out well, we have to study it properly so we know what to do," he told reporters at the DOJ main office in Manila.
Remulla said he would discuss the matter with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday afternoon.
Remulla said the religious leader should face the charges against him here.
"He should face the music here. Especially na pinahirapan niya yung pulis na hanapin siya. Ganun din pala, susuko rin pala siya o pahuhuli rin pala siya eh. Pinahirapan niya yung ating kapulisan eh. Pinahirapan rin niya yung taongbayan tungkol sa bagay na ito. Dapat talaga dito siya malitis," he said.
(He should face the music here. Especially because he gave the police a hard time looking for him. But eventually he was going to surrender or he would let the authorities catch him. He made it difficult for our police and the public on this matter. He should really be tried here.)
The DOJ chief said he was hopeful there will be no delays when the cases of Quiboloy are tried in Philippine courts.
"Ang aking magiging instruction sa prosecution, prepare all the evidence so we can ask for continuous trial para matapos kaagad yung kaso na kailangan litisin. And we would like the Supreme Court pag nangyari yan, huwag pumayag na magkaroon ng dilatory tactics. Dapat magtuloy-tuloy yung trial niyan para matapos kaagad
Remulla also said one of the complainants in the criminal cases against Quiboloy has reached out and could be considered to be part of the Witness Protection Program.
"Special case yan kasi mabigat ang kalaban dito," he said.
"Merong pong nakikipag-ugnayan sa amin mula po sa kanyang kampo. Kaya lang nagiingat po tayo sa mga ganitong mga bagay. Siyempre kailangan may contact yan sa DOJ," Remulla added.
The DOJ chief also denied the manhunt and cases against Quiboloy are political, following complaints from members of his church.
"Hindi po. Yan po ay criminal case eh. Wala akong pakialam pulitika niyan, it's really the criminal case we have to mind. Tandaan niyo ang kaso sa Amerika at kaso dito ay halos pareho lang yung binitawan ng iba't ibang testigo. Hindi naman yan pare-pareho, iba-iba ang buhay niyan pero iisa ang reklamo," he said.
On FBI most wanted list: Quiboloy calls himself 'modern-day Joseph'
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he expected the United States to request for Quiboloy’s extradition “very soon.”
"We expect the US to file an extradition request very soon since he's already in custody. So and remember, we have a treaty with the US, it's part of the law of the land. So we will have to play it out well, we have to study it properly so we know what to do," he told reporters at the DOJ main office in Manila.
Remulla said he would discuss the matter with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday afternoon.
Remulla said the religious leader should face the charges against him here.
"He should face the music here. Especially na pinahirapan niya yung pulis na hanapin siya. Ganun din pala, susuko rin pala siya o pahuhuli rin pala siya eh. Pinahirapan niya yung ating kapulisan eh. Pinahirapan rin niya yung taongbayan tungkol sa bagay na ito. Dapat talaga dito siya malitis," he said.
(He should face the music here. Especially because he gave the police a hard time looking for him. But eventually he was going to surrender or he would let the authorities catch him. He made it difficult for our police and the public on this matter. He should really be tried here.)
The DOJ chief said he was hopeful there will be no delays when the cases of Quiboloy are tried in Philippine courts.
"Ang aking magiging instruction sa prosecution, prepare all the evidence so we can ask for continuous trial para matapos kaagad yung kaso na kailangan litisin. And we would like the Supreme Court pag nangyari yan, huwag pumayag na magkaroon ng dilatory tactics. Dapat magtuloy-tuloy yung trial niyan para matapos kaagad
Remulla also said one of the complainants in the criminal cases against Quiboloy has reached out and could be considered to be part of the Witness Protection Program.
"Special case yan kasi mabigat ang kalaban dito," he said.
"Merong pong nakikipag-ugnayan sa amin mula po sa kanyang kampo. Kaya lang nagiingat po tayo sa mga ganitong mga bagay. Siyempre kailangan may contact yan sa DOJ," Remulla added.
The DOJ chief also denied the manhunt and cases against Quiboloy are political, following complaints from members of his church.
"Hindi po. Yan po ay criminal case eh. Wala akong pakialam pulitika niyan, it's really the criminal case we have to mind. Tandaan niyo ang kaso sa Amerika at kaso dito ay halos pareho lang yung binitawan ng iba't ibang testigo. Hindi naman yan pare-pareho, iba-iba ang buhay niyan pero iisa ang reklamo," he said.
On FBI most wanted list: Quiboloy calls himself 'modern-day Joseph'
Marcos also congratulated the police for arresting the pastor.
Marcos also congratulated the police for arresting the pastor.
"We will demonstrate once again to the world that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, is vibrant, and is working well," the president said.
Marcos said Quiboloy’s surrender did not come with any conditions. The President earlier rejected the religious leader’s demand that the government guarantee that he would not be turned over to the United States.
“We were very clear to his people to his lawyers specifically, na hindi maaari na may conditions siyang ilalagay. At lagi namin sinasabi, patuloy lang ang aming gagawin. You have to decide what you want to do. We are ordered by the court to enforce this order and that's what we are going to do,” he said.
“And the putting of conditions is not an option for somebody who is actually a fugitive.”
"We will demonstrate once again to the world that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, is vibrant, and is working well," the president said.
Marcos said Quiboloy’s surrender did not come with any conditions. The President earlier rejected the religious leader’s demand that the government guarantee that he would not be turned over to the United States.
“We were very clear to his people to his lawyers specifically, na hindi maaari na may conditions siyang ilalagay. At lagi namin sinasabi, patuloy lang ang aming gagawin. You have to decide what you want to do. We are ordered by the court to enforce this order and that's what we are going to do,” he said.
“And the putting of conditions is not an option for somebody who is actually a fugitive.”
NO SPECIAL TREATMENT
Marcos said Quiboloy would not receive any special treatment from authorities.
Marcos said Quiboloy would not receive any special treatment from authorities.
“But again there is no special treatment, although he is a very prominent person, actually, kahit may magsabi na gawin nating special treatment, hindi namin alam gawin 'yon eh… We will treat him like any other arrested person and we will respect his rights,” he said.
“We will go through the process, the process will be transparent, everyone who is involved will be accountable. And we will demonstrate once again to the world that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, is vibrant and is working.”
Quiboloy 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.
“But again there is no special treatment, although he is a very prominent person, actually, kahit may magsabi na gawin nating special treatment, hindi namin alam gawin 'yon eh… We will treat him like any other arrested person and we will respect his rights,” he said.
“We will go through the process, the process will be transparent, everyone who is involved will be accountable. And we will demonstrate once again to the world that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, is vibrant and is working.”
Quiboloy 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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
