Quiboloy unfazed by extradition, prepared for legal battle --lawyer

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Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy was not surprised by the extradition petition filed against him and is prepared to face the proceedings in court, his legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon said Friday.

Torreon clarified that he does not represent Quiboloy in the extradition proceedings, noting that his duties are limited to the religious leader's pending criminal cases before the Pasig and Quezon City courts.

He confirmed that Quiboloy has already been notified of the extradition petition, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed on Monday on behalf of the United States government.

“Please be informed that Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy has been informed of the extradition proceedings filed against him. They do not come as a surprise to him. He has expected them, and he is ready to face them in court, through the proper legal process and before the proper forum,” Torreon said in a statement posted on Facebook.

He emphasized that they will answer the allegations against Quiboloy in court, where the matter belongs, rather than in the court of public opinion.

Torreon advised that all inquiries regarding the extradition proceedings be directed to the separate legal team handling that case.

Earlier on Monday, the DOJ confirmed that the Makati Regional Trial Court had issued an extradition arrest warrant and a hold departure order against Quiboloy, who is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail.

Regarding the pending criminal cases against the Davao-based religious leader, Torreon said his client will continue to face the charges and urged the public not to make any assumptions about the issue yet.

“In the criminal cases, we will continue to defend Pastor Quiboloy fully and vigorously. We ask the public and the media to respect the presumption of innocence that the Constitution guarantees to every accused,” Torreon said.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Raphael “Polo” Martinez said prosecution has finished presenting its evidence in Quiboloy’s qualified trafficking case before the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) and will now formally submit its evidence to the court.

On Monday, DOJ spokesperson Atty. Raphael “Polo” Martinez said the prosecution has finished presenting its evidence in Quiboloy’s qualified trafficking case before the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) and will now formally submit its evidence to the court.

Meanwhile, he said the prosecution is still presenting its evidence in Quiboloy’s pending cases before the Quezon City RTC.

“For the child abuse case under RA 7610 pending before RTC QC, the prosecution is still in the process of presenting its evidence,” Martinez told reporters Friday.

The National Bureau of Investigation has expressed its readiness to coordinate with the DOJ and other law enforcement agencies in Quiboloy’s extradition process. —LDF, GMA News