President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. needs additional time to deliberate on the United States’ request to extradite controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Malacañang announced.
The extradition proposal will undergo a comprehensive review as the Chief Executive assesses potential courses of action before reaching a final decision in the coming weeks, according to Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
”Opo, nakausap po natin kanina mismo ang Pangulo at sinabi po niya na kailangan po talaga itong pag-aralan mabuti pero in a couple of weeks ay magbibigay po sila ng anunsyo kung ano ang magiging desisyon para dito,” Castro said on Monday, August 10.
Castro emphasized that any action must align with the bilateral extradition treaty between the Philippines and the US.
She outlined two potential paths under consideration: allowing Quiboloy to remain in the Philippines to face his domestic court cases first, or deferring Philippine proceedings to permit his immediate surrender to American law enforcement.
While the administration’s direction remains unconfirmed, Castro reiterated that proper legal channels will be followed.
”In a couple of weeks, saka niya sasabihin kung ano yung pwede niyang stance patungkol dito,” Castro said.
”So, lahat naman ito ay dapat na dumaan sa proseso dahil may batas naman po tayo. At mag-de-decide po sila, ibibigay niya po kung ano yung dapat na gawin patungkol dito,” she added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed receiving Washington’s formal extradition request on August 6, subsequently forwarding the documents to the Department of Justice for evaluation.
Quiboloy has been in government custody since September 8, 2024, following a 16-day police operation at the 30-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City that led to his surrender.