Quiboloy ready to face US extradition process

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is being hunted by the Philippine National Police PNP) on charges of rape and human trafficking, is ready to face the extradition process, his lawyer Israelito Torreon said yesterday.

- JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Torreon clarified that Quiboloy’s request to President Marcos is to execute a “written declaration” not to turn him over to the US for “extraordinary rendition.”

“Pastor Quiboloy is not asking for a shield on extradition. What he previously wanted … is he will not be extraordinarily rendered to the US. We are not talking about the extradition process,” Torreon said.

“If there is an extradition process, there is a strong possibility that we will face it because it is in accordance with a treaty,” he said.

He added they cannot fight for Quiboloy’s rights under extraordinary rendition as it is a government-to-government act.

The written declaration must be made by President Marcos, the PNP, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense, said Torreon.

He stressed that Quiboloy’s request was reasonable, noting that extraordinary rendition is prohibited in the Philippines according to Section 48 of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

But Torreon fears there is still an impending danger for extraordinary rendition to happen to Quiboloy.

“With the might and power of the US, it might sneak out Pastor Quiboloy while he is under the supposed jurisdiction of the courts that are trying him… That’s why we just need a written declaration that if ever that happens, the Philippine government will prevent it,” said the lawyer.

He added that extradition is more advantageous as they can show a lack of basis for the extradition process, unlike in extraordinary rendition where a person is brought to another jurisdiction without hearing the basis of the said action.

Torreon said he is unsure if Quiboloy’s request for a guarantee of protection in exchange for his surrender is still valid, given the ongoing police operations at KOJC’s properties in Davao City.