By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Emphasizing that there is “no turning back” until fugitive self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is arrested, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Saturday urged the spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to surrender and face the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges against him.

The DILG issued the appeal following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s rejection of Quiboloy’s conditions for his surrender, likening it to the “tail wagging the dog”—an attempt to dictate terms to the government.

“Please, I appeal to you, and this is the appeal of everyone: surrender. As you’ve said, you are deemed innocent until proven guilty in court. But we have a warrant, and that warrant is in the case of People of the Philippines v. Apollo Quiboloy,” Abalos said.

Kingdom of Jesus Christ legal counsel Israelito Torreon claimed on Thursday, August 29, 2024, that there is a threat to Quiboloy’s life as he faces possible “extraordinary rendition”—state-backed kidnapping—to the U.S., where he is also facing charges.

“You say you have no guilt; there’s a process for that, and it’s in court. Surrender and face the accusations. That’s my stance—surrender,” Abalos added.

Notably, neither Quiboloy nor his lawyers have provided evidence to support claims of a conspiracy between the U.S. and the Marcos Jr. administration to extradite him to America for trial.

No Guarantee

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday stated that no one in the government can guarantee that fugitive pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy will not be turned over to the U.S. if arrested and if America requests his extradition.

Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez highlighted the Philippines’ obligation under its extradition treaty with the U.S., which allows Washington to request a provisional arrest.

“Because it’s our obligation. We have an extradition treaty, so regarding his request for a guarantee—strictly speaking, no one in government can give that guarantee,” Vasquez said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

He explained that extradition is different from extraordinary rendition, the state-backed kidnapping that Quiboloy claims he fears.

It was noted that under the 1994 treaty, requests for extradition should be sent through diplomatic channels and must be supported by documents such as statements and details of the alleged offense, a copy of the judicial warrant, and the charging document.

Quiboloy is facing charges in the United States for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, coercion, and fraud, as well as sex trafficking of children.

ia/mnm