The United States government has formally filed its request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and two co-accused before a Makati court, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
The request is now pending before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 and covers charges of human trafficking, sex trafficking, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy’s co-accused are Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag.
The DOJ said a US court had issued arrest warrants against the three respondents, which remain valid and enforceable.
Under extradition procedures, the DOJ will issue a warrant of arrest against the persons sought for extradition, while the court clerk will issue the corresponding summons for personal service.
The department clarified that extradition proceedings do not determine whether the respondents are guilty or innocent of the charges.
“An extradition proceeding is sui generis (a class of its own). It is not a criminal proceeding and it does not involve the determination of the guilt or innocence of an accused. His guilt or innocence will be adjudged in the court of the state where he will be extradited,” the DOJ said.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the three allegedly operated a trafficking scheme that brought KOJC members to the United States using fraudulently obtained visas and forced them to solicit donations for a fictitious charity.
The FBI said members who successfully solicited donations were allegedly made to enter sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas so they could continue their activities in the United States.
Dandan, identified by the FBI as the church’s international administrator, allegedly played a central role in recruiting female victims, including minors, to serve as Quiboloy’s personal assistants, known as “pastorals.”
The women were allegedly required to prepare Quiboloy’s meals, clean his residences and give him massages. They were also allegedly made to have sex with the KOJC leader on a scheduled basis, an arrangement referred to as “night duty.”
📷 Benhur Abalos / Facebook
Comments