DOJ confident Quiboloy extradition will be granted

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday expressed confidence that its petition for the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy will be granted as long as the requirements under the extradition treaty are met.

According to Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan, the DOJ received the formal request from the US on August 7 and that it is now under review.

“So long as the requirements under the extradition treaty are met through the documents that we will be filing, then we are confident that extradition will be granted,” Chan said in a press briefing.

Chan said the DOJ must ensure the presence of several key elements, such as the identity of the person to be extradited, validate and confirm the principle of dual criminality, ensure and validate that the imprisonment that the respondents may face is at least one year, ensure that the offense has not prescribed, and ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed if they are found guilty.

Following the review, Chan said the DOJ may proceed with the filing of the petition for extradition before a trial court. The department may also defer the filing and wait for Quiboloy’s local cases to reach their conclusion.

"That is something that would have to be studied further by our office,” Chan said.

Chan said the trial court’s decision may still be appealed.

He also said that court proceedings may take only months, instead of years.

“The Supreme Court did away with any possible dilatory tactics, so we are hoping na once filed, it will not take years," Chan said.

Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended, before the Pasig court.

The Davao City-based religious leader is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Meanwhile, Chan said adhering to the extradition treaty goes a long way in enhancing the country’s image in the international community.

"We also have to show our treaty partners that we are serious in complying with our treaty obligations and that we understand the need for justice to be served, but at the same time we have to balance it also with the interest of the Philippines,” he added. –NB, GMA News