Hontiveros on Quiboloy extradition: About time
MANILA, Philippines — Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality head Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to quickly act upon the United States’ extradition request against alleged sex trafficker and Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy, saying it is “about time” that the pastor be held accountable.
The US made the extradition request in July against the 76-year-old, who is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) top 10 most wanted list.
“It’s about time for Apollo Quiboloy to be extradited to the United States of America. He (allegedly) trafficked women and girls from around the world. Justice demands that he answer for these crimes in the very places he committed them,” Hontiveros stressed in a statement on Thursday.
READ: US asks PH to extradite Apollo Quiboloy on sex crimes, fraud charges
She added: “The Department of Justice must act with dispatch to clear the road toward extradition. It is time to allow the victims to be at peace.”
The senator also hailed the extradition request, recalling her panel’s inquiry into Quiboloy’s supposed crimes.
“As chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, which heard the heartbreaking testimonies of the women Quiboloy (reportedly) preyed upon, I am relieved that not one but two jurisdictions want to hold him to account for his crimes against women and girls,” Hontiveros stressed.
The FBI has charged the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God,” Quiboloy, with conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy has been detained at the Pasig City Jail since Sept. 8, 2024 for qualified human trafficking and child abuse charges.
Although his case before a Pasig Regional Trial Court is ongoing, under the extradition treaty between Washington and Manila, the DOJ may request domestic courts to allow the temporary surrender of a Filipino fugitive from an American court to face trial before its local case is resolved. /das
