MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), has assured detained religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy would not face capital punishment should he be convicted in the United States as the DOJ began its formal review of the extradition documents recently received from US authorities.
Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan on Friday confirmed the government's stance, emphasizing that protecting Quiboloy from the death penalty was a key consideration in the proceedings.
“The DOJ would likewise ensure that Quiboloy would not be subjected to capital punishment if convicted in the United States,” Chan said.
The United States is seeking Quiboloy’s extradition on serious charges, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling.
The founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) is also entangled in multiple legal battles in the Philippines. He faces non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, alongside child abuse and sexual abuse cases originally filed in Davao City that are now being heard in a Quezon City court.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the justice department remains optimistic about securing a favorable court ruling on the extradition petition, provided all requirements under the Philippine-US Extradition Treaty are strictly met.
The DOJ official noted that the department was meticulously preparing to ensure full compliance before the petition is formally filed.
“So long as the requirements under the RP-US extradition treaty are met through the documents we will be filing, we are confident that extradition will be granted,” he said.
Central to this process is Article 7 of the treaty, which outlines the mandatory documents and information accompanying an extradition request.
These include proof of the subject’s identity, the facts and circumstances of the case, the legal provisions defining the alleged offenses, the corresponding penalties, and details regarding the prescription of prosecution or punishment.
Chan clarified that the final decision rested with the judiciary, not the executive branch. “The court where the petition will be filed will have to determine whether the petition we submitted and the supporting documents are compliant with the extradition treaty,” he said.
He added that if compliance was established and all other elements were met, the DOJ saw no reason for the request to be denied.
“However, it is not yet final. It can still be appealed,” he said, noting that the case would proceed through the regular appeals process before a judgment becomes binding.
Quiboloy has consistently denied all accusations, maintaining that the cases against him are politically and religiously motivated.
Chan also underscored the broader implications of the case, warning that failure to extradite Quiboloy could damage the country’s credibility as a treaty partner.
“The extradition treaty is a formal agreement between the Philippines and the United States. It will not look good on us if we do not follow the terms and provisions of the extradition treaty,” he stressed.
Nevertheless, Chan reiterated that the treaty did not guarantee automatic extradition, and the DOJ remained committed to upholding both the rule of law and the Philippines’ international obligations.
