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Quiboloy Urged to Face Trafficking, Abuse Charges Amid Extradition Push
Philippine lawmakers have urged embattled preacher Apollo Quiboloy to face charges of human trafficking and abuse, as the US seeks his extradition. Quiboloy has filed cyberlibel complaints against critics, which they dismiss as a diversion from the serious allegations against him.
Three lawmakers accused by embattled preacher Apollo S. Quiboloy of cyberlibel urged him to face cases tied to human trafficking, sexual, and child abuse, calling his charges a “misdirection” of the issue. “There is no crime in our desire for justice to prevail. Let us not waste government resources on this baseless case. They should stop pretending that he is a victim of cyberlibel. Apollo Quiboloy is not a victim,” Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima said in a statement on X. Separately, Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Thursday said she has nothing to fear, following Mr. Quiboloy’s legal counsel Ferdinand S. Topacio’s earlier announcement that cyberlibel cases will be filed by the preacher against the lawmakers. “He should just face accountability instead of turning the narrative around. As for me? I have nothing to fear. It is Quiboloy who is wanted by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). It is Quiboloy who is accused of serious crimes,” she said in a press statement. Mr. Quiboloy has been detained at the Pasig City Jail since November 2024 for human trafficking charges. The Department of Foreign Affairs in August confirmed receipt of the US’ extradition request for Mr. Quiboloy and has endorsed it to the Department of Justice. Justice Secretary Fredderick C. Vida on Thursday told a news briefing that they expect to finish the review of the US’ documents seeking Mr. Quiboloy’s extradition within the next two weeks. Party-list Rep. Percival V. Cendaña, who is also facing a cyberlibel complaint from Mr. Quiboloy, called for the preacher’s extradition to the US. “This does not even compare to the threats and violence endured by his victims and their families. My advice to Quiboloy is for him to devote his time and energy to face his victims in a US court. His reckoning with justice is near,” Mr. Cendaña said in a press statement on Wednesday. Mr. Topacio did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
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