Malacañang says US request for Quiboloy extradition must be evaluated 

Malacañang said Friday the request of the United States for the extradition of religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy should be evaluated and resolved in due time for the sake of justice.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said this in a video message, following the announcement of Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez that the US government has requested the Philippines to extradite Quiboloy over sex trafficking and racketeering charges he is facing in the US.

“Ang paghiling ng US government para sa extradition ni Pastor Quiboloy upang malitis doon sa US para sa kasong sex trafficking, visa fraud, bulk cash smuggling, among others, ay isang bagay na dapat na pag-isipan, ma-evaluate, ma-assess, at ma-resolba sa tamang panahon para makamtan ang pinakamataas na antas ng hustisya,” Castro said.

(The US government's request for the extradition of Pastor Quiboloy to stand trial in the US for charges which include sex trafficking, visa fraud, and bulk cash smuggling, is a matter that must be deliberated upon, evaluated, assessed, and resolved at the right time to reach the highest level of justice.)

“Hustisya para sa mga diumanong biktima rito at sa US, at pati na rin sa akusado,” she added.

(This is justice for the alleged victims here and in the US, as well as for the accused.)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said last night that it received the US government's request for the extradition of Quiboloy, who has been on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list.

The DFA said it has endorsed the request to the Department of Justice

According to Castro, the DOJ will start looking into the matter on Monday, August 10.

“Natanggap na po ngayong araw ang voluminous records mula sa DFA. Ayon sa DOJ, sa Lunes nila ito sisimulang pag-aralan,” Castro said.

(The voluminous records from the DFA were received today. According to the DOJ, they will begin reviewing them on Monday.)

The religious leader was arrested in the Philippines in September 2024 on charges of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

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.

Quiboloy, who pleaded not guilty shortly after his August 2024 arrest, is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail. — RSJ, GMA News