U.S. authorities have formally requested the extradition of Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, a 76-year-old church leader based in the Philippines, to face trial on multiple criminal charges. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila confirmed receipt of the extradition request in July and forwarded it to the Department of Justice, according to Philippine officials. The charges against Quiboloy include child sex trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and visa fraud, among other offenses. He was added to the FBI’s most wanted list following a federal indictment.
Quiboloy leads the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, a religious organization established in 1985 in Davao City in southern Philippines. The church claims a significant membership base both domestically and internationally. Quiboloy was previously a prominent figure in Philippine religious and political circles, serving as a spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte. He claims followers that his role includes being “the appointed son of God.”
The extradition process requires approval from two Philippine courts currently hearing cases against Quiboloy related to human trafficking and child abuse allegations. Under the 1994 extradition treaty between the U.S. and Philippines, justice officials may request temporary surrender of a suspect to face foreign charges prior to completion of domestic proceedings. Quiboloy went into hiding after Philippine courts ordered his arrest in 2024 but surrendered later that year following a police operation at his religious compound. He has remained in custody since September 2024. Quiboloy has denied all allegations, characterizing them as fabrications by critics and former group members.
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