US Marshals Likely to Take Custody of Quiboloy if Extradition Approved

US 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. Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Romualdez said Quiboloy would most likely be brought to the jurisdiction where the alleged crimes were committed. “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. He said the extradition request follows a formal government-to-government process. The US State Department transmitted the request to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which then forwarded it to the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to Romualdez, Philippine courts will determine how the extradition request will proceed, considering Quiboloy is also facing pending criminal cases in the Philippines. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.—AOL, GMA News