PNP ready to implement orders vs Quiboloy

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it was ready to implement orders concerning the cases against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

“On the part of the PNP, just like we normally and usually do kapag kailangan po ng assistance ng PNP ay lagi naman po tayong naka-ready na magbigay ng assistance sa other concerned government agencies like DOJ at DFA po,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(On the part of the PNP, just like we normally and usually do, we are always ready to assist other concerned government agencies like the Department of Justice and Department of Foreign Affairs when needed.)

On March 7, Central District of California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

The unsealing was requested by the United States Attorney Criminal Division handling Quiboloy’s case, which involves charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.

“Upon application of the government, and for good cause shown, the arrest warrants and returns in this case are unsealed,” Hatter said in his order dated March 1, 2024.

According to New York lawyer Lara Gregory, this could be the first step in initiating the extradition process by the US Department of Justice for Quiboloy.

Now that the arrest warrants for Quiboloy and his co-accused have been unsealed, INTERPOL may also issue Red Notices for their names to be put on notice, he added.

So far, Fajardo said the PNP has not received any communication from the US regarding the cases against Quiboloy.

She added that the PNP would first consult with “higher” authorities for the possible implementation of the order from the foreign jurisdiction.

“Kung saka-sakali pong itong unsealing po ng mga document… if there are court processes that need to be implemented in the Philippine jurisdiction ay kukuha po tayo ng utos po at basbas po ng mas mataas po sa atin with respect doon po sa possible implementation po ng foreign court jurisdiction,” she said.

In an audio message last month, Quiboloy denied the allegations and accused the US government, allegedly with help from Philippine government officials, of plotting to “eliminate” him through rendition. — DVM, GMA Integrated news