IN WHAT LOOKS more like an effort to weaken the so-called “opposition,” the administration seemed to have adopted an ancient strategy on how to topple the walls of an enemy fortress — by targeting its tower.
In March this year, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and flown to The Netherlands to face charges arising from crimes against humanity filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Five months later, news broke out on the supposed extradition request from the United States. The target — Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for a long list of criminal allegations.
FORMAL REQUEST
No less than Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez admitted that the United States has sent a formal request to the Philippines to extradite the controversial televangelist, ally and longtime friend of the former president.
“Yes, it was sent to the DOJ (Department of Justice),” Romualdez said when asked to confirm the reported extradition request.
The DOJ however denied such even after Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro claimed that the US government sent the request to the justice department.
“Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro did not receive the US extradition request for Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy… the documents were sent to the DOJ as early as June and not to DFA,” the foreign affairs department said.
Romualdez also confirmed that the request was made last June.
LOOKING BACK
A US federal warrant was issued against Quiboloy on November 10, 2021 after he was indicted for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children among other charges.
He is accused of participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity.
The donations were allegedly used to “finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”
Interestingly, the KOJC founder also has a string of criminal cases filed in the local courts, for which he was arrested in September last year — and has since been in jail.
Quiboloy pleaded not guilty to charges of qualified human trafficking.
PH-US TREATY
According to Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, the Philippine government may “surrender” Quiboloy to the United States even as she cited what she described as “clear” legal basis to do so.
The senator cited Article 11 of the PH-US Extradition Treaty, which allows a person facing prosecution or serving a sentence in the country to be surrendered for trial abroad, then returned once proceedings are concluded.
“Kahit may kaso siya dito, pwede pa rin siyang dalhin sa Amerika para harapin muna ang mga kaso doon, at pagkatapos ng paglilitis ay ibalik sa Pilipinas para panagutin sa mga krimen dito,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy’s alleged victims in the US have waited too long for justice.
“Hindi rin tama na patagalin pa ang kanilang laban,” she added.
POWER BREADTH
Hontiveros took a swipe at the government’s inability to clamp down Quiboloy’s use of “influence” to evade accountability, citing attempts to intimidate witnesses and avoid Senate hearings.
Allowing temporary surrender, she added, would ensure local cases continue while also aiding victims in the US.
Aside from Hontiveros, House Deputy Minority Leader, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña, likewise urged the DOJ to hasten the extradition request for Quiboloy.
According to Cendaña, the serious charges filed against Quiboloy expose the breadth of his power and influence, even as he warned that his continued influence poses risks to witnesses and investigations.
“Even in detention, Quiboloy continues to wield huge political and religious power in our country. His inordinate access and influence within our country’s political establishment undermine investigations and endanger witnesses. It is clear that true justice will evade his victims should he continue to remain in the Philippines,” he said.
NOT SO FAST
Quiboloy’s lawyer Israelito Torreon said they have yet to receive an “official document” on the supposed extradition request filed by the US government.
“If the reports are true, we respect the prerogative of the United States of America in doing such a move as it is in consonance with the provisions of the Extradition Treaty between the US and the Philippines,” reads part of the statement.
Quiboloy’s camp said that while it acknowledges a treaty allowing the US to request provisional arrest of a subject, they “feel that such request… may not be necessary as of the moment in the light of the fact that the ‘urgency’ requirement under that section is absent in this case as Pastor Quiboloy is in jail.”
Torreon also recognized that the Philippines can allow Quiboloy to be extradited even while he was facing trial locally, but wished that it would not do so.