US Formally Requests Extradition of Detained Televangelist Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — The United States has formally requested the extradition of Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to face charges including child sex trafficking, sex with minors, fraud, and money laundering, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed on Thursday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed receipt of the formal request from Washington and endorsed it to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for processing.

Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in 2024 following a two-week standoff at the KOJC compound in Davao City. He is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail, facing local charges including non-bailable qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse.

Ambassador Romualdez stated in an interview with ABS-CBN News that any decision regarding the extradition would consider the Philippine complainants.

“These are things that really, you know, in the legal parlance, they’re the worst of all crimes as far as people are concerned. And that’s why this is something very serious that the Philippines should also be very cooperative about,” Romualdez said. “We have many victims in our country that are victims of sex trafficking and human trafficking. That’s why we really have to be able to work with the international community on how to resolve this request for extradition.”

Romualdez added that Washington has also requested the extradition of alleged co-conspirators, noting that some co-indicted individuals are already undergoing trial in the United States.

A US grand jury indicted Quiboloy in 2021 on charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling. The indictment alleges that females aged 12 to 25 were recruited as personal assistants and forced into sexual acts. Police stated following his 2024 arrest that victims were coerced under threats of divine retribution and violence.

Philippine lawmakers welcomed the extradition development.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, urged for swift action. “He trafficked women and girls from around the world. Justice demands that he answer for these crimes in the very places he committed them,” Hontiveros said, adding that his continued presence in the country emboldens followers to harass survivors.

House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima also expressed hope that the process moves without delay, calling it “a long time coming” and noting that DOJ assessment and presidential clearance should proceed swiftly.

Under Article 11 of the 1994 Philippines-US Extradition Treaty, the requested state may “temporarily surrender” an individual currently facing charges or serving a sentence locally, provided the individual is kept in custody in the US and returned to the Philippines upon the conclusion of American proceedings.

Counsels for Quiboloy declined to comment, stating they have not been officially notified. The US Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment.