The Department of Justice (DOJ) made it clear that it cannot guarantee that Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader and fugitive Apollo Quiboloy will not be extradited United States, where he is among its Most Wanted criminals.
The statement was made in response to the reiterated condition requiring a written guarantee barring the church leader’s handover.
“No one in government can give that guarantee,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez declared in a news forum on Saturday.
“That is a legal issue that needs to be carefully studied kasi (because) in the first place, no government official would want to violate the law,” he said. “And lahat ng treaties po natin (all our treaties) have the force of law once they are signed and concurred by (the) Senate. That is part of our legal obligation.
“And you can just imagine if we renege on our international obligation in favor of an individual,” he added.
Vasquez pointed out that the States has not requested for Quiboloy’s extradition as of yet. If they do, it will be up to the discretion of the proper court handling his case.
He promised the government will be fair, that his trial will be a “fair and impartial” one.
“I-expect naman nila (They should expect) that things will be acted upon fairly and the courts are, as you know, ang daming ebidensiya niyan (necessitate a lot of evidence),” Vasquez stated.
“The wheel of justice is working perfectly fine. It may be grinding slowly but it does work,” he assured.
Vasquez thought it would be best for Quiboloy to “come out, present his evidence, present himself, and address the charges.”
Quiboloy is among the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted, charged with Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion; Conspiracy; and Bulk Cash Smuggling.
It is believed that the pastor has holed up in the Davao City KOJC compound, which law enforcement is presently searching.
