The United States has formally requested the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino church leader currently detained in the Philippines on human trafficking and child abuse charges. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila received the extradition request and forwarded it to the Department of Justice for processing. The matter now requires approval from two Philippine courts that are actively hearing cases against Quiboloy.
Quiboloy, 76, was arrested in 2024 on charges related to child sexual abuse and human trafficking. The Philippine Senate separately issued an arrest warrant after he refused to appear at public hearings regarding allegations of criminal conduct. He has remained in custody since his arrest. Quiboloy has consistently denied all accusations, characterizing them as false claims fabricated by critics and individuals removed from his religious organization.
The preacher leads the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, founded in 1985 in Davao in the southern Philippines. The organization reportedly maintains a substantial membership base both domestically and internationally, including in the United States. Quiboloy has been a prominent religious figure in Philippine society and wielded considerable political influence, serving as a spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In 2021, US federal prosecutors filed charges against Quiboloy alleging sexual abuse of adult women and underage girls. According to the indictment, victims faced coercion and threats of spiritual punishment to comply. Court filings also allege that female church members recruited as personal staff, referred to as “pastorals,” were required to perform various duties including meal preparation, household cleaning, and sexual activity.
Under Philippine law, criminal suspects typically must complete domestic trials and serve sentences before extradition. However, the 1994 extradition treaty between the United States and Philippines permits domestic courts to authorize temporary surrender of suspects to face foreign trials prior to concluding Philippine proceedings. The superseding indictment from November 2021 includes multiple charges against Quiboloy and eight other individuals, encompassing conspiracy, sex trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and immigration-related offenses.
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