Manila: Citing the importance of international cooperation in the global fight against sex trafficking of women and children, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. on Saturday expressed support for the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy. “Countries need to work together to stop it (human trafficking). International cooperation, including extradition, should be utilized for us to make inroads against this evil,” Abante said in a news release.
According to Philippines News Agency, the chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights emphasized that while the Philippines has made progress in strengthening laws against trafficking, crimes that are transnational by design cannot be fully addressed without coordination among other governments. He cited the United Nations (UN) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, also known as the Palermo Protocol, which the Philippines ratified in 2002.
The treaty supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and obliges signatory states to cooperate in investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases, protecting victims, and ensuring that offenders cannot elude justice by crossing borders. Abante pointed out that “our responsibility does not end at our borders. When the fight is against a crime that violates the most vulnerable amongst us, there should be no safe havens.”
“This is why I support the extradition of Pastor Quiboloy. It is a step in upholding justice, fulfilling our international obligations, and, most importantly, protecting women and children from exploitation,” Abante concluded.