DOJ vows careful review of Quiboloy extradition request

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said last week it will conduct a thorough legal review of the United States’ formal request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, stressing that the process will follow Philippine law and the two countries’ extradition treaty.

Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan confirmed that the DOJ has received the US government’s formal request and is now evaluating its contents for compliance with the requirements governing extradition.

Chan said prosecutors must first determine whether the offenses cited by US authorities—including alleged sex trafficking of children, visa fraud and cash smuggling—qualify as extraditable offenses under the Philippines-US extradition treaty.

The DOJ will also verify whether the acts cited in the request correspond to offenses covered by the treaty and whether the potential penalties meet the minimum requirement. Chan said the treaty requires the offense to carry a possible prison sentence of at least one year.

He emphasized that the department would not rush the process at the expense of legal requirements.

Under the extradition treaty, the United States may either proceed with filing an extradition petition and allow the matter to be resolved through court proceedings or defer filing while waiting for the conclusion of local cases involving the respondents.

Chan said the DOJ is moving as quickly as possible but will not bypass any required procedure.

No definite timetable has been set for the department’s evaluation, although Chan said officials are aware of strong public interest in the case and intend to expedite the review without compromising its legal standards.

He said strict compliance with the treaty is also important to the Philippines’ standing among its international partners.

According to Chan, the government must demonstrate that it takes its treaty obligations seriously while ensuring that the pursuit of justice is balanced with Philippine interests.

The DOJ’s evaluation will determine the next legal steps on the US extradition request, including whether and how the proceedings should move forward before Philippine courts.