US Marshals most likely to take custody of Quiboloy if extradition is approved

<p>United States Marshals would likely take custody of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy if his extradition is approved, Ambassador Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez said Friday.</p><p>Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Romualdez said Quiboloy would most likely be brought to the jurisdiction where the alleged crimes were committed.</p><p>"Most likely, US Marshals. Mayroon silang sariling eroplano at susunduin nila si Pastor Quiboloy at dadalhin sa place where the crime supposedly was committed. In this case, baka sa Los Angeles," Romualdez said.</p><p>He said the extradition request follows a formal government-to-government process.</p><p>The US State Department <a href="https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/997598/us-seeks-quiboloy-extradition-from-philippines-over-sex-trafficking-racketeering-charges/story/" target="_blank">transmitted the request</a> to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which then <a href="https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/997627/philippines-received-us-request-for-quiboloy-extradition-says-dfa/story/" target="_blank">forwarded</a> it to the Department of Justice (DOJ).</p><p>According to Romualdez, Philippine courts will determine how the extradition request will proceed, considering Quiboloy is also facing pending criminal cases in the Philippines.</p><p>The ambassador described the case as a high-profile international matter because it involves allegations of human trafficking and sex trafficking, which he said are among the world's top law enforcement priorities.</p><p>He said that while the Philippines has international obligations to cooperate in such cases, the government remains responsible for ensuring that any Filipino citizen extradited abroad receives a fair trial.</p><p>In a separate interview, international law expert Ralph Sarmiento said that the ball is in the Philippine government's court, citing Article 11 of the Extradition Treaty.</p><p>"Under that provision, the ball is actually given to the Philippines as the requested state. It is given two options: Number one, pwedeng i-temporarily surrender to the US to face trial before the US courts where cases are pending or pwede i-postpone 'yung surrender," he said.</p><p>(Under that provision, the ball is actually in the Philippines' court as the requested state. It is given two options: first, it may temporarily surrender the person to the United States to face trial before the U.S. courts where the cases are pending; or second, it may postpone the surrender.)</p><p>"Meaning to say, puwede nating sabihin sa America na tapusin na muna natin 'yung mga kaso dito sa Pilipinas," he added.</p><p>(Meaning to say, we can tell the United States that we should first finish the cases here in the Philippines.)</p><p>He said that Quiboloy may also serve his sentence in the country first before being extradited.</p><p>Should Quiboloy be sentenced to reclusion perpetua by Philippine courts, then his extradition may no longer be feasible, according to Sarmiento.</p><p>He said that the Philippines may also temporarily surrender Quiboloy to the US before the service of his sentence.</p><p>"There's a possibility na subject to the agreement of both states in this particular case, puwede po na pagkatapos ng judicial proceedings here in the Philippines, the Philippines can temporarily surrender him prior to service of sentence," he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, he said that in a scenario where Quiboloy is convicted by courts in both states, they may have an agreement where he will serve his sentence. </p><p>Sarmiento also said that though the court can decide on the extradition, it is still the prerogative of the executive branch. </p><p>The 2021 US indictment claims that victims were between the ages of 12 and 25 and recruited as personal assistants for Quiboloy to prepare his meals, clean his residence, and give him massages, aside from engaging in sex.</p><p>Quiboloy was arrested after a massive manhunt in September 2024 on charges of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.</p><p>He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.</p><p>Quiboloy, who pleaded not guilty shortly after his August 2024 arrest, is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail.<strong> - with a report from Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL GMA News</strong></p>