MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) finally commenced the extradition process against doomsday preacher and Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy based on the request of the United States government.
On Tuesday, November 10, the DOJ announced that the US’ request to extradite Quiboloy, Teresita Dandan, and Helen Panilag was filed with Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 145 on Monday, November 9. Presiding Judge Karen Matti Sy handles the case.
Quiboloy faces cases that include international human trafficking, sex trafficking, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling. He has been detained in Pasig City Jail since November 2024.
Locally, he is facing a trafficking case at the Pasig City court and separate cases of sexual abuse of a minor and child abuse in a Quezon City.
He was arrested on September 8, 2024, after months of manhunt and tension in his home turf Davao City.
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Quiboloy, Dandan, and Panilag have been in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list since 2022.
The local DOJ said the US-issued warrants remain valid and executable.
“The US Government seeks their extradition to pursue prosecution for the foregoing offenses,” said the justice department.
“An extradition proceeding is sui generis. It is not a criminal proceeding and it does not involve the determination of the guilt or innocence of an accused. His guilt or innocence will be adjudged in the court of the state where he will be extradited,” it added.
What will be the process?Based on the Philippines’ new Rules on Extradition approved by the Supreme Court, it’s the DOJ secretary who triggers an extradition process. It can also be any designated state counsels of the DOJ’s Office of the Chief State Counsel.
The DOJ may file a verified petition with the extradition court to start the process.
Later, the court may issue a warrant of arrest.
A warrant will be issued if the petition is sufficient in form and substance and compliant with the law and applicable extradition treaty. A warrant will also be issued if there’s probable cause that:
- The person named in the petition is the one identified in the warrant, indictment, or judgement issued by the requesting state
- The offense is an extraditable offense
- The person committed the offense
After a review, the court will grant the petition if a prima facie case exists.
Prima facie, as explained in Wa-acon vs. People, is a situation where evidence “is not rebutted or contradicted, making it good and sufficient on its face to establish a fact constituting a party’s claim or defense.” – Rappler.com